Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private medical records for hearing loss, a need for VA Compensation and Pension examinations regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions, and other procedural steps.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted, with the tinnitus finding a reasonable link to service.

The Board finds that tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are likely related to service, while right ear hearing loss is not shown during service or within one year of separation.,Right ear hearing loss was not found as a current disability due to the lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria for establishing a 'disability' at the time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a medical examination to address his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a video conference Board hearing. The issues include reopening of his sleep apnea claim, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 29, 2013, and 20 percent since then.

The Veteran's bilateral mixed hearing loss with postoperative residuals of otosclerosis in the right ear is currently productive of mild, though constant, functional impairment of the Veteran's ordinary activities sufficient to warrant a compensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2013. The case presents an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render inadequate the criteria contained in the Rating Schedule for the period prior to August 13, 2013.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability did not develop during or as a result of his military service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to address the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scoliosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes on separation from service or within one year of separation, and the medical evidence does not support a link between his current bilateral hearing loss and service. The Board finds that there is no factual basis upon which to conclude any current chronic hearing loss is linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and panic disorder manifesting with alcohol abuse, was granted. The Board found that the current psychiatric disabilities are causally related to symptoms first experienced in active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ear disability to include hearing loss due to lack of evidence of a current disability, as well as failure to establish an etiological relationship between the Veteran's active service and his diagnosed hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and obtaining any outstanding medical records. The claims for service connection for COPD and kidney disability must also be remanded as they are not currently addressed in the rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current hearing acuity levels correspond to Level I under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient information regarding his right ear hearing loss and bilateral knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he does not have a diagnosed mental disability, including PTSD. His claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to her active military service, including any noise exposure incurred therein. Therefore, service connection for this disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.