Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board video conference hearing. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and for obtaining all outstanding pertinent treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted effective June 9, 2009. The Board found that no earlier effective date is legally possible under VA regulations.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have had its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss was denied, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending as the maximum benefit available has not been reached.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing disability as required by VA standards, and there is no competent evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus did not originate in service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be the result of exposure to hazardous noise during his active service, and therefore granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine arthritis are related to his service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA audiological examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and headaches were not addressed due to their interrelated nature.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability existed prior to his service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during active duty beyond its natural progression, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus caused or aggravated his right ear hearing loss. The claim will be readjudicated following this.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service.