Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cold injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims due to issues with obtaining inpatient hospital records and converting the Veteran's separation audiogram. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his period of active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure as a flight line aircraft mechanic, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the statutory requirements for a TDIU, as they do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as zero percent disabling, the lowest possible rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and skin disability were not found to be related to service, and the Board denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and thus, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of evidence or further development needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are found to be related to service, but his other psychiatric conditions do not have a direct link. Bilateral hearing loss and stomach disorder claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further examination to determine his eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is presumed sound upon entry into military service, and his current symptoms are related to in-service head injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss with vertigo did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the year prior to October 23, 2009. As such, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to service and whether it is related to tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the early 1990s.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 7, 2010 for additional compensation benefits for a dependent spouse is denied as the Veteran did not provide necessary information regarding his spouse until January 2010.

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