Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and the collective evidence suggests that his service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and vocational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for hearing loss.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased ratings for right lower extremity varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and residuals of a right knee injury. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current asthma condition is due to his in-service pneumonia, and thus service connection for asthma is granted. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and vertigo are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a link between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA audiological evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and a back disability as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be caused by noise exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as it was at Level I in both ears and no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment was present. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of disease or injury in active military service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during his military service at Eglin Air Force Base. The decision is based on presumptive exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and clarify the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypothyroidism, and kidney disorder due to herbicide exposure. The appellant's National Guard service at CFB Gagetown in Canada is under further investigation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and the claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the June 2011 VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not present in service or until many years thereafter, and are not related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, as it existed prior to his active duty and did not worsen during his periods of service.