Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his military service, and the Board finds that the evidence supports the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further development is needed.

The Veteran's hypertension, heart disease, and residuals of a CVA are service connected. The cause of the Veteran's death is also service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, conduct a VA audiological examination, and readjudicate the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for tinnitus is pending.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally or etiologically related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and post-service hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as her claims for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its related conditions. The decision also noted that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's depressive disorder with features of anxiety is reasonably shown to have been caused by his service-connected disabilities, to include coronary artery disease. Service connection for depressive disorder with features of anxiety is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not shown to be present in service or within one year of separation, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection. However, the left ear hearing loss disability was found to have onset during service and is therefore granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and C were not found to be service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss was granted.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, while the initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no findings more severe than Level II in either ear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The rating decisions related to bilateral hearing loss disability and left shoulder disability are pending further development.