Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the November 2001 rating decision is not new and material, and thus does not serve to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the right ear hearing loss being aggravated by military noise trauma in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be adjudicated, including a new opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and opinions regarding service connection for lung and eye disabilities. The claims folder will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but his right wrist injury is considered incurred in service.,Service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected left ear hearing disability, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further analysis of his claim.

The Veteran's hearing is manifested by no more than Level I hearing acuity bilaterally, and the criteria for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss disability have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability, including any 'flare-ups' he experiences.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors. As such, service connection for right ear hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not have its onset in service and is not related to any disease or injury incurred therein. As a result, service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2004 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that entitlement to this benefit arose no earlier than June 2004 when a VA addendum opinion established a nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and his military service.

The Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to military service, and the Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The cervical spine issue was remanded but an adequate opinion could not be provided by the examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The case is now pending and will be handled in an expeditious manner.