Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the proposed severance of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and special monthly compensation based on deafness was improper. The Veteran's original service connection was granted due to in-service noise exposure leading to current hearing impairment.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was permanently aggravated by his period of service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability and there is no link between his service and these conditions. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric results did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing loss and the functional impairment caused by his hearing loss is contemplated by the assigned zero percent rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his active service, with the Board resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus disability were not incurred in or related to his military service, including due to noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that these disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by noise exposure during service, and his tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, both conditions were found not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion from an audiologist regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder, was found to be related to his military service. Bilateral hearing loss is also attributable to military service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his noise exposure during active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, including on a secondary basis to his service-connected tinnitus.

The November 1993 RO rating decision denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of evidence showing a current disability during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's death was not directly or proximately related to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.