Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate consideration of a treatise on delayed onset hearing loss related to noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability will be remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right ear hearing loss disability under the VA criteria for such, and thus service connection cannot be granted. The claim for left ear hearing loss will be remanded as the August 2012 VA examination report is insufficient to determine if any current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by Level VIII hearing in the right ear and Level VI hearing in the left ear, resulting in a 30% rating under VA regulations. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased evaluation prior to July 21, 2010 or in excess of 30 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. He will be provided with the option of rescheduling a hearing in accordance with his request.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, as his preexisting hearing loss was noted at entry into service. The Board concluded that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and information regarding Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss in the left ear is still pending as it requires additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to significant acoustic trauma as a heavy tank mechanic. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are as likely as not due to exposure to military weapons during active service. Service connection is denied for carpal tunnel syndrome and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle sprain, and left ankle sprain have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and considering lay testimony regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, right and left knee disability, right and left ankle disability, and a left foot disability are all found to be related to service. The initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, were denied due to failure to report without good cause to scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as the Veteran did not provide a stressor event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.