Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not present during service or for many years thereafter, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a ratable bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding his hypertension, and issues with obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for diabetes was denied, but his TDIU claim was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination and lack of discussion regarding noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his noise exposure during service and his current conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran did not report any symptoms until many years post-service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of chronic hearing impairment within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated based on its current manifestations.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is determined to be caused by in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, as the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any other connection between the disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to his military service, including any noise exposure. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be due, at least in part, to noise exposure during his military service. As a result, the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining her missing service treatment records from February 2003 to May 2004 active duty period and arranging for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires additional development, including obtaining updated medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and reviewing the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities. The claims of service connection for PTSD and traumatic brain injury are also being remanded.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new examination to address his exposure to noise during service.