Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, specifically left ear infections in service or noise exposure. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fracture of the left humerus with moderate deformity, fracture residuals of the left distal radius, and residual scar of a left eyebrow laceration have all been denied. The highest possible rating under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he attributes to noise exposure in service. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including circulatory disorder of the lower extremities, right arm numbness, leg cramps, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), skin disorder, and bilateral hearing loss, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was granted but not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as he experienced it since separation from active duty. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be present in service and continues since then, warranting service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level II, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the current schedular criteria adequately describe his disability and there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current 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 bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a rating of 70 percent to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective January 1, 2011, was proper and granted.

The Veteran's bilateral chondromalacia of the patella was first manifested in service and is presumed to be related to his active duty. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's current knee disorder is related to service.,The Veteran's low frequency, mixed hearing loss disability in the right ear was first manifested many years after separation from service and there is clear and unmistakable evidence against a finding that it is in any way related to service. The tinnitus is presumed to be due to exposure to sound of gunfire during combat.