Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the finding that his MVA was a result of willful misconduct. The Board is remanding the case for further clarification and examination.

The Board has vacated the previous decisions and ordered a new hearing before the Travel Board to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus on a direct-incurrence basis and entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, prior to February 23, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during her active military service or any period of Active Duty for Training (ADT). The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not currently have hearing loss that meets VA standards.

The Board has remanded the case due to an opportunity for a new hearing and/or a new decision from the Board. The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is still pending, as well as his request for an increased initial rating for a right testicle scar.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the VA Compensation and Pension examination did not address the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for a breathing disability (asthma) and mechanical low back pain, but denied service connection for hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for hearing loss disability and insufficient objective findings for the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to an increase in severity during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition based on aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for purposes of VA compensation. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hypertension, denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an eye disability manifested by loss of vision, or a cardiovascular accident/stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis and hearing loss is denied. The denial of multiple sclerosis is based on a lack of evidence linking it to service, while the denial of hearing loss is due to the failure to provide competent medical evidence establishing an in-service event or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's SFW of the left buttock does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, and his PTSD is currently evaluated as 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for nummular eczema, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service and has continued since service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection. The claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for a statement of the case on his claim for a temporary total evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The Veteran has established a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, but the Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology.