Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the October 15, 2009, denial of eligibility for a fee basis medical identification card was improper and restored the Veteran's entitlement to such.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to have had their onset during service, warranting the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and re-adjudication of the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The dental claim is also being remanded to afford the Veteran a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his low back disability is less likely than not incurred in service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 5, 2005 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current level of disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, nor was it present in service or etiologically related thereto. As such, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by severe/frequent itching related to his period of active duty service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and finds that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition. The right wrist fracture claim was withdrawn prior to a decision, so it is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic otitis media and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need to verify the appellant's ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA service. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and jaw condition will be reconsidered with new evidence.