Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, including during combat operations. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown during service, and no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors has been provided. The claim is granted as the condition is considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss on his employability and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the existence of current diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as there was no significant shift in hearing thresholds during service and the evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between the condition and noise exposure. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete records, including SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are to be evaluated again by an audiologist who must consider both objective evidence and the Veteran's subjective history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient audiometric test results above 4000 Hertz and a need for clarification of the significance of the Veteran's separation examination findings. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The evidence showed that audiometric testing in September 2011 revealed Level I hearing acuity in both ears, corresponding to a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of extra-schedular evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for TBI.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since February 19, 2008. The most recent VA examination in May 2012 showed Level II hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The claim was granted as of November 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the probable etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot pes planus, and ankle disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.