Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they otherwise related to such service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The left ear hearing loss issue remains pending as an additional VA examination is needed.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which prevents him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, specifically as there was no evidence of hearing loss during or immediately after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is less likely due to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 23, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he contends developed due to noise exposure during service. The case has been remanded for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA audiologic examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to or aggravated by military service. The examiner will also address whether the November 1966 enlistment data is reliable and discuss the Veteran's lay testimony regarding his hearing loss.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pure tone thresholds correspond to auditory acuity level I in each ear, warranting a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year after separation, and the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service. The Board therefore denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since the grant of service connection in November 2008. The most recent VA examination did not show any improvement in his hearing impairment, and thus he is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. He has requested another hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA contract examination reports from South County Hearing Services.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right great toe disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision also resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.