Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the increased initial ratings for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, as it was present during service and due to in-service noise exposure. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided. The case is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from an appropriate examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has restored the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, with a 30 percent rating, and denied the severance of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 26, 2005. The rating was granted based on the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9411 of the Rating Schedule.

The Board found that the reduction of a 60 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss to 40 percent was proper, as evidenced by improved hearing acuity and functional impairment. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from pneumonia and heart disease. The claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, but denied service connection for the claimed left pinkie finger disability due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disorder. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service exposure to noise, and service connection for this condition is granted. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied by law due to the absence of a current disability. Service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) is granted.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and may not be presumed related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated as noncompensable. For the period on appeal, his bilateral hearing loss is considered incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing and disagreement with the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.