Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted, effective May 5, 2009. The effective date cannot be earlier as the original claim was denied in March 2002 and not appealed within one year.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board has determined that it was incurred in service. The hearing loss disability is not currently diagnosed, but may be related to noise exposure during service. The psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with anxiety) is found to have been present during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2009 examination report, which did not consider his in-service ear injuries and worsening hearing during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The maximum schedular rating (10%) is assigned for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and no higher evaluation is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during active service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have existed prior to service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran on both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in the current examination reports and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service exposure, as opposed to other possible causes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted his claims for service connection for tinnitus.,However, there is no evidence of record to support a finding that he has residuals of cold injury to his feet due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to service, and his PTSD rating remains at 50 percent. The case is remanded for further development regarding the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as zero percent since August 6, 2008. The VA examinations have shown that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing acuity was within normal limits at separation and did not show any threshold shifts during service. The VA examiner concluded it is less than likely that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 19, 2009 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the earliest submission by the Veteran or his authorized representative indicating an intent to apply for service connection benefits was received on May 19, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, at worst Level II in the left ear and Level III in the right ear, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and disfigurement of the head. Right ear hearing loss was not found to be related to service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.