Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a spinal cord tumor due to Agent Orange exposure, and a skin disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any disability and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, specifically the significant noise exposure during his military career as a Morse System Operator. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and finds that it is less likely than not related to his period of active service. For the left knee issue, there is no evidence showing arthritis manifested within one year after separation from service.

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

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 60% to 20% was proper, and denied his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection. The most recent VA examination in December 2013 showed better hearing acuity than the February 2010 examination, but still did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 based on VA treatment received in December 2001 are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing that the disabilities were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of the VA.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, but his right ear hearing loss and tuberculosis are not. The case must be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the current status of his left ear hearing loss, knee disabilities, and asthma.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have begun during service and is therefore granted as service connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and is now remanding it for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature of his noise exposure during service and whether it resulted in current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The VA examiner found no link between the current hearing loss and tinnitus and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as a freestanding claim is not allowed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation from May 10, 2004 to July 4, 2007.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from the audiologist who evaluated the Veteran in April 2012, and possibly arrange for another VA examination if deemed necessary.