Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media are granted, with no specific rating assigned as these issues were decided on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stress fracture of the left knee or tibia, heart disability, and hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 20% before October 15, 2010. Since then, his hearing acuity has improved to warrant a higher 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing medical records, particularly those from Exxon Corp. related to hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his hypertension claim resulted in a non-compensable rating. The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss disability or continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bulging and herniated discs, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable as a result of his disabilities, given his educational background and experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 30 percent effective November 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue with the hearing, and the Veteran is entitled to another video-conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric findings and considering whether extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent since February 20, 2013. The Board has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the case was pending at the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss prior to July 6, 2013 were denied. The Board found that the current disability levels did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records regarding hearing loss and gastrointestinal disorders. An addendum opinion from a VA examiner will be needed to address whether any gastrointestinal disability can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness related to service, including Gulf War service.