Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability had its onset during his period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, as evidenced by his exposure to hazardous noise during active duty and the presence of high frequency hearing loss in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, raising a reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which meets the criteria for a disability under VA standards, is causally related to his military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for PTSD and TBI. Bilateral hearing loss and conjunctivitis were also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and left ear hearing loss) prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board finds that a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim is granted as both conditions are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review them.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be due to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for residuals of right ankle sprain, claimed as a right foot/ankle disability, is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service, and there is no evidence showing it manifested within one year after separation from active duty. The claim for left ear hearing loss was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.,The Veteran's wife and a friend provided statements describing their observations of the Veteran's hearing loss since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left cheekbone fracture, deviated nasal septum, and chronic sinusitis were denied as there is no evidence to support the current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his hearing loss disability and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and therefore cannot establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private medical records from Providence Hospital in Olympia, Washington. The claims will be adjudicated again after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a nexus opinion regarding tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical opinions on whether his current disabilities are related to military noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, and a right knee disability due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.