Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at 20 percent prior to April 4, 2013. Since then, it has been rated as 30 percent.,Service connection for left eye disorder other than preexisting corneal cloudiness was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is more likely than not related to his period of inactive duty for training (IDT) in 1976, where he was exposed to an explosion. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The earliest clinical record of complaints about hearing loss was 12 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an updated medical opinion.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating as his condition is currently rated at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and the need to verify his address. The case will be further developed and readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's current neck disability is not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during active military service and is not presumed to be related to his service. The VA audiological examination in May 2014 showed current sensorineural hearing loss, but no significant threshold shifts from the service entrance to separation examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, with noise exposure in service being at least as likely a factor. Tinnitus was not addressed by the examiner and thus remains an issue for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to consider the issues of bilateral hearing loss and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability meeting the regulatory requirements at separation. The claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder dislocations, and status post left inguinal hernia repair were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as both conditions are found to be etiologically linked to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus could not be considered aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.