Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were dismissed as freestanding claims, not based on CUE in a final rating decision.

The Veteran has demonstrated a hearing loss disability in the left ear for VA purposes and noise exposure during service is conceded. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to clarify the etiology of these conditions. The appeal will be returned for further consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, prostate cancer, and a bladder disorder. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as a need for clarification of the examiner's opinion regarding tinnitus etiology.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The claim for allergies, including respiratory and skin symptoms, remains pending as it was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and therefore denied his claims for service connection. For the right ear, the Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability for hearing loss and insufficient evidence linking tinnitus to service.,There is no competent or credible evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The Veteran's complaints are not supported by audiological testing results.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, but a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as further consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess his hearing loss and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. The claim for a right foot rash was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, the minimum rating required for service connection. The appeal related to a TDIU rating has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected osteoarthritis of the dorsal spine and its impact on employment. The claim for TDIU will also be addressed.