Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report may not provide a fully reasoned explanation regarding the etiology of these conditions. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is REMANDED.

The claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, and right great toe injury are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the prior rating decisions. The Veteran will be provided with VCAA notice regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss disability due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including an addendum to the November 2009 VA examination opinion. The issues of service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hearing loss disability is service connected, but his right hearing loss disability is not. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the right ear.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise and has ordered a remand for corrective action.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous VA examination did not address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a VA opinion on his ability to work.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 for a child born with birth defects due to lack of evidence that her mother had Vietnam service, which is required by law.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted by the RO in July 2011 and assigned effective November 12, 2010. The Veteran appealed this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they prevent him from engaging in employment that would be suitable for his education and experience.