Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination and consideration of the presumption of soundness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's STRs did not show any hearing loss or tinnitus during service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

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

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical dystonia claims due to the passage of time since the last VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical dystonia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding noise exposure during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining records from the United States Capitol Police and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of hypertension, renal dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, hypoxia, hypersomnia, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion or providing the Veteran with a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2009 VA examination. A new opinion is needed from a qualified clinician regarding the relationship between the Veteran's military service, including noise exposure, and his current hearing disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of chronic disease during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and additional medical records are requested. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are not related to his military service, and therefore denied these claims.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hearing loss, and headaches have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. The remaining issues remain denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, and tinea cruris have no in-service disease or injury to which they may be related.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and a need for updated audiometric evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered one disability rated as 60 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board has remanded the case to obtain an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board. The VA audiological examinations showed that the Veteran had Level I hearing in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The most probative evidence indicated these conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a review of any indications of chronic interstitial lung disease (ILD).