Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim is also granted.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of any current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Crohn's disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and right knee disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

Your claims are being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board. You will be notified of the date, time, and location of this hearing at your address of record.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was initially rated at 50% from August 2, 2010 to October 21, 2010. Since then, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity levels do not warrant any higher rating based on the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, as well as to consider additional evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen his original claim. The Veteran now has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and credible reports of in-service noise exposure leading to ongoing symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of hearing loss within one year following service are credible, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable disability rating based on VA audiometric testing performed in February 2008, November 2008, and February 2012. The evidence showed stable hearing impairment throughout the appeals period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his right ear, but he did during service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current condition is not causally related to active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear and bilateral hearing loss were not aggravated by his periods of active service, as evidenced by normal or unchanged hearing levels during both periods. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for initial review of newly submitted evidence, including appellate briefs. The claims will be reconsidered and a decision will be made based on this new information.