Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran had hearing loss in both ears during service and that this is related to noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee limitation of extension, intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine based on incapacitating episodes, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability that is causally related to service, and the Board finds that his current bilateral hearing loss is more likely due to occupational noise exposure after service and age-related hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim of service connection for multiple joints pain due to an undiagnosed illness before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and right shoulder scars are related to his military service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the adequacy of the November 2011 VA examination report and to obtain a new opinion regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as zero percent disabling, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. Hypertension is found to be due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence shows that these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the appellant has PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO will obtain relevant VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and any private medical records from Dr. Hall. They will also schedule the Veteran for an examination by an ENT physician or audiologist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.