Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and potential issues with the line of duty determination related to his injuries. The Board will seek additional evidence and determine if service connection can be granted for his hearing loss, tinnitus, and skull fracture.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection based on direct evidence. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports, lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions, and need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for reopening of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is related to his in-service exposure to small arms fire. As a result, the Veteran is now granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a rescheduled hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board affirms that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it developed due to in-service acoustic trauma. The evidence is at least in equipoise on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2011 and 10 percent on and after that date. The Board finds the current ratings are appropriate.

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 Veteran's hearing loss is attributed to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and for the Veteran to submit any additional evidence or identify any outstanding private treatment records.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.