Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's low back condition is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, which he incurred in service, has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. A psychiatric examination is also needed due to changes in regulations regarding PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, as there was no objective evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes at separation from service. The Veteran's lay assertions were deemed less credible than the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service records and an addendum opinion considering possible acoustic trauma during Army Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, including significant noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not attributable to his period of military service and the Board finds no nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA audiologic examination, and readjudicating his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule. The Board found that his audiometric results did not meet criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing impairment or other specific provisions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and neuropathy. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened but remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss.

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

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a disability rating of 30 percent prior to August 27, 2012 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred during such service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating. The Veteran's claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and for updated VA treatment records. The case will be adjudicated again after these actions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were more likely due to post-service noise exposure.