Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and denied his claims for increased disability ratings for left elbow fracture/arm and left CTS. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss is less likely as not caused by or a result of military noise exposure, but conceded tinnitus was at least as likely as not caused by military noise exposure. The case is REMANDED to afford the Veteran a new VA examination to determine the etiology of her bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a current disability. The claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate opinion in the July 2011 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus is not entitled to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and hearing loss have been rated at 70 percent combined, effective May 8, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral mixed type hearing loss was initially incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent since September 19, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from a medical professional to determine if his current hearing loss is causally related to military service, including his reports of acoustic trauma and left ear injury.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, specifically the noise exposure during his time in Vietnam. As a result, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred during his active duty service. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service. The VA examiner opined that the disabilities were less likely as not caused by or a result of loud noise exposure while in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability (including sleep apnea), low back disability, cranial disability (including a neuro cognitive injury due to concussion), and neck disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective November 24, 2008.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied service connection claims for a skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD is set at August 26, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.