Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities likely combine to preclude gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to assess his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to February 22, 2013 and at a 10 percent rating beginning on that date. The Board finds no basis for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, but finds that they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The case is therefore REMANDED to refer the claim to the Director, C&P Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent since May 10, 2010. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was not permanently worsened during or as a result of his service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for an audiological examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied. The effective date for hearing loss service connection was granted as August 3, 1963.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a compensable rating for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus had onset in service, resolving all doubt in his favor. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or etiology.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability and credible assertions of noise exposure during active duty. The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least partially attributable to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess his employability status due to service-connected disabilities, and for clarification on whether he desires a hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his military service. The Board finds that additional development is necessary as there are no available service treatment records.