Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, PTSD, coronary artery disease, connective tissue disorder, tinnitus, and appendectomy, produce sufficient impairment to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing due to his inability to attend early morning hearings.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was also addressed, but as it is a separate claim from hearing loss, no disposition could be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service or within one year of his separation from service, nor is it the result of disease or injury incurred during the Veteran's active service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms during the presumptive period. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter as the Veteran has indicated he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a full audiological evaluation and consideration of functional effects on occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce his hearing loss rating from 60% to 40% has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have arisen during active service due to exposure to loud noise, while his hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his service-connected hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's schedular rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service-connected otitis media disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service exposure to aircraft engine noise, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains unchanged, as audiometric testing has consistently revealed no worse than Level I hearing in the service-connected ear.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for another VA audiological examination and opinion regarding the significance of any shift in hearing acuity documented during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide new examinations for his psychiatric and hearing loss disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered after the requested development.