Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other diagnosed psychiatric condition related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA medical records and to schedule him for a new examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new opinion from an examiner who can consider the Veteran's history of tinnitus since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or significant noise exposure during service. The VA audiologist concluded that the current hearing loss is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold weather injury residuals to the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in December 2008 due to lack of nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability evaluation from 100% to 20%, and then from 20% to 10%. The decision found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure in and out of service. The issue of service connection for a back disability is pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records relevant to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, including noise exposure in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim remains pending as it pertains to a secondary service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur any of the claimed disabilities during his active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from March 31, 2008, through October 21, 2008, and in excess of 60 percent from October 22, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.