Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to have been caused by in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the validity of the 2009 VA audiological examination, which did not reveal a right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's representative requested a new examination to determine if his current right ear hearing impairment meets the threshold requirements for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ankle disorders have been denied. The claim for service connection for the lumbar spine disorder has not been adjudicated as it is not part of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear Air Force Reserves service and need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not use hearing protection in service.

The Veteran's skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not service connected. The dental condition claim is denied as it does not meet the requirements for service connection for purposes of VA outpatient treatment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss can be decided. The Veteran's most recent VA examination was over three years ago, and he testified at his April 2013 hearing that his hearing loss worsened since then. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service, and his bilateral hearing loss is presumed to be related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for both conditions are granted.

The Veteran does not have current hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability and scar on the scrotum are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and clarification regarding his concurrent receipt of special separation benefits and VA service-connected compensation, including tax application issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating, as his audiometric results consistently indicate Level I hearing impairment in both ears.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, thus granting entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete development. The Board requests an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the likelihood of a delayed or latent onset theory of causation.