Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as migraine headaches, are denied. The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the examiner opined that his hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis rather than military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted, but his claims for tuberculosis, bilateral hearing loss, and infectious pericarditis were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective March 20, 2012. The reduction was proper as the condition had improved and the evidence supported a lower rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service personnel and treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his left ear hearing loss, and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating for PTSD prior to October 17, 2011 or a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and issuing a statement of the case regarding the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and an increased rating for right ear hearing loss will be readjudicated in light of all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and records, as well as clarification of private audiometry results.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee osteoarthritis. The VA examinations are inadequate, and additional medical opinions are required to address the etiology of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and an addendum opinion regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, and skin condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and interpretation of audiograms from 1972. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the VA examiner concluded that any current hearing loss is not related to service. The appellant's lay statements were considered but did not outweigh the expert opinion.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology, as the current VA examination report is inadequate.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD) have been granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran's presence in Japan during a riot following his service has not been verified.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely caused by military noise exposure.