Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including retrieval of VA outpatient records and consideration of the March 2013 VA examination report.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the submission of any relevant medical records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for his left inguinal hernia surgery scar, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no worse than Level III hearing acuity in each ear since December 18, 2013. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect his disability picture and did not find any evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating based on VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been dismissed due to abandonment by the Veteran.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss, with the left ear having a threshold of 55 dB at 4000 Hz. The VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not related to service. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further action, including adjudicating a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision. The right ear hearing loss service connection claim may be rendered moot if CUE is found.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in 1971. The Veteran's STRs showed normal hearing at separation, but a VA audiometric evaluation later indicated a hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss were denied, as well as his claim for service connection for headaches. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 29, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and medical nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the lack of a recent VA audiological examination in his claims file. He needs to be provided with a current VA audiology evaluation to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, eye condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ will obtain additional evidence related to Agent Orange exposure and ensure that a VA examination is conducted for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided, including obtaining clarifying opinions from a VA audiologist or otologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.