Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional action, including consideration of a statement from a fellow service member who was exposed to jet aircraft noise during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active service, and thus he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for hydrocele of the right scrotum remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within one year of discharge, and it is not otherwise shown to be causally related to service. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by normal audiometric findings during service and no reported symptoms until after discharge. The VA medical opinion found that these conditions are not caused by or a result of exposure to high levels of noise while on active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected right elbow and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a VA audiological examination to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered in this case, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran is service connected for Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease and tinnitus associated with Meniere's disease. The RO has assigned a combined disability rating of 60 percent. As the Veteran's service-connected disabilities all stem from a common etiology, the 60 percent combined rating meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The remaining issues on appeal are referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic right hand disability, bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, or an upper back disability related to active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The original decision remains under review.

The Board finds that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam are justified due to compelling circumstances, and thus does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his claim for service connection of COPD has been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hypothyroidism, a left foot disability, fingernail disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores indicating a mild to moderate sensorineural hearing impairment in both ears. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a back condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected, as it is an organic disease of the nervous system and there is credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since his discharge from military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate VA examination opinions and inconsistencies in the evidence regarding noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is related to service, including in-service acoustic trauma and has granted service connection for this condition.