Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including a recent grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded. The Board also finds that the RO made an error in denying a petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, and he should be provided with an SOC on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the last denial supports a finding of in-service noise exposure, but does not establish a link between current hearing loss disability and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private and VA treatment records, scheduling appropriate VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is currently unclear as to its nature and etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the obtaining of medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, to include dermatophytosis, was not present for many years after service and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a skin condition was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The tinnitus claim was not reopened as there is no new evidence relating to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The hearing loss claim was also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The skin condition and back disability claims were reopened, but service connection was not granted.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss, tinnitus, or back disability related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his period of active military service, including noise exposure during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and the case is being sent back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by noise exposure during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to outstanding records and further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent), and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an audiometry examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The lumbar spine disability is granted for the period prior to March 30, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the claim for a bilateral ear disorder to include aerotitus and barotitis.