Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be incurred in active service due to noise exposure during combat operations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding PTSD with major depression ratings, as well as the TDIU rating prior to April 9, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA audiological and psychiatric examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and testicular cancer. The appeals were based on presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to unresolved questions regarding his hearing options and whether he desires a hearing. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be returned to the RO for further action.

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

The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence from a VA examination.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing impairment during or immediately following service and the VA audiologist opined that any present hearing impairment is less likely caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities are rated at a combined 90 percent and render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss issue remains pending as it was not adjudicated in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 70 percent effective April 11, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, with no more than Level II hearing impairment in the left ear and Level I in the right ear. The current evaluation does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic low back or cervical spine disorder present during service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her active military service. The Veteran's hearing loss claim cannot be presumed as it did not manifest within one year after service discharge.

The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral otitis media, and bilateral perforated membranes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and hearing loss, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following service.