Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the VA audiological examinations showed unreliable and inconsistent responses during testing, rendering the results invalid.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder. Additional evidence will be considered, and the claims will be readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his service exposure and onset.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar disc disease with left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disorders. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for current disability in any of these conditions as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing a current disability or a relationship between active service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the January 2010 VA audiology examiner's report regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Veteran was found to have no worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating under DC 6100. For his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, he is currently rated at 10 percent and this rating criteria does not support an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, CLL, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service, manifest within one year of separation from service or otherwise related to any incident of service, including in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but the claims for bilateral hearing loss and fecal incontinence need further development as they may be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to a higher initial rating for adjustment disorder and service connection for a bilateral hand/finger disability. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as it began during service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The reduction of the rating for back disability from 40% to 20% is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his National Guard service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is likely due to his exposure to hazardous noise levels during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral ear hearing loss is granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and may not be presumed to have been due to noise exposure during military service. The most probative evidence indicates it is more likely related to post-service employment at a refinery.