Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service or within the one-year presumptive period following service, and is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as previous opinions did not adequately consider his in-service noise exposure. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this disability. The issue of whether there was any error related to VA's duties under the VCAA with respect to this claim is moot.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 25, 2014 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from July 25, 2014 was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been related to noise exposure during service. His HTN and ED are not related to service or Agent Orange exposure, and his skin disability did not manifest within the presumptive period for herbicide-related conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical examination and the Veteran's request for additional evidence. The claim will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case is now pending again with the AOJ.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion to interpret audiograms and determine if right ear hearing loss is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it is a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in either condition. The Board also found that the December 2011 VA examination did not establish the presence of a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran reported in-service noise exposure, which is considered a direct link to his current conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during active service. The issues of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his requested videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and injuries to the right arm, legs, knees, and feet. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from his first period of active service and scheduling a VA examination.