Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss originated in service due to acoustic trauma, and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss, and his initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss have also been denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced during combat. As a result, these conditions have been granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Additional records from recent treatment are also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, back disability, right knee disability, and left ankle and foot disability, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of liver disorder, left heel fracture, bilateral testicle disorder, and other conditions have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus in service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a cyst on his buttocks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as direct service connection was established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since August 22, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation at any time during the rating period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The evidence shows no in-service noise exposure and no pre-existing hearing problems noted at entrance into service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Member of the Board by live videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical development regarding his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a comprehensive evaluation of the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss for the entire period on appeal, effective from the date of the examination (May 28, 2013). The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on deafness in both ears.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he did not have service in Vietnam and there is no evidence of Agent Orange exposure. His conditions are not attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.