Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service. The Board has found the Veteran credible regarding his reports of exposure to noise during service, which resulted in immediate hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the VA audiological examination did not establish a link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service. The claimant's pre-existing hearing loss was noted prior to ACDUTRA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection. However, there is insufficient evidence linking his left ear hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical examination and opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as the current evidence does not provide a clear determination of whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure during active service. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is necessary to allow for informed appellate review regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal regarding an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded it for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service combat exposure likely caused his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulation and right ear hearing loss was not manifest during service or until many years thereafter. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection between the Veteran's diagnosed right ear sensorineural hearing loss and his active service, including noise exposure. Tinnitus was also not manifest during service and the preponderance of evidence is against finding a connection to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence submitted since the July 1995 RO decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his neurological symptoms in the upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and irritable bowel syndrome. Service connection for a brain tumor was not established.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed again with the appropriate scheduling of a new hearing.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an updated medical opinion regarding his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that service connection for residuals of second-degree burns on the palms with nerve damage is not warranted due to inadequate evidence of current disability. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service acoustic trauma. The evidence did not support continuity of symptomatology.