Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to an injury sustained during inactive duty training, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The hearing loss claim will be addressed in a separate remand as VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The decision on the merits is pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and addressing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of an increase in severity during service, and the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by military service. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his disabilities were deemed less credible.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or use of upper or lower extremities, blindness, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, deep partial or full thickness burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaption grant are not met.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities for which he can be granted service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right leg disability, Crohn's disease, and a left leg disability. The Board finds that additional development is necessary as the VA examination opinions are inadequate.,The Veteran asserts that he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. However, the VA examiner did not consider his lay assertions of in-service acoustic trauma and ensuing hearing problems and tinnitus, which reportedly have persisted on a continuous basis since service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right leg disability, including torn cartilage and ligament, as well as Crohn's disease. The Board finds that additional development is necessary as the VA examiner did not consider his lay assertions of in-service symptoms and ongoing treatment post-separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological evaluation and consideration of his claim based on additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection for both hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's lay observations, combined with his in-service noise exposure, are considered in favor of a relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which preexisted his period of active service, were permanently aggravated during service. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, gout and arthritis of the feet, and gout and arthritis of the ankles were denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions manifested during service or within one year thereafter. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service connected as it is less likely related to his in-service noise exposure. His prostate cancer residuals are currently rated at 20%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition began during or was caused by active service.

The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder that manifested in service or is related to service, including asbestos exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown on examination and further testing may be necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence or relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with carotid artery disease, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper notice for a VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of left ear hearing loss disability is now before the AOJ for further development.