Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities to the RO via the AMC for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, CAD, tinnitus, malaria, scar from shrapnel wound, and tinea pedis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and contacting the Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA audiogram records and any other pertinent medical evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing does not meet the VA disability criteria.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea was at least as likely as not incurred during his active service. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether or not the Veteran incurred hearing loss and tinnitus during his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and left knee strain from July 10, 2010 was denied. The claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level IV, warranting a 10% disability rating. The Board found that the available schedular evaluations adequately covered his disability and did not refer for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum from the examiner who provided the May 2013 examination.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion from Dr. C.A.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss and psychiatric claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine should be granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), a leg disorder, and a back disorder has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to decide the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, including from artillery during combat duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, specifically during his MOS as an aviation electrician. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.