Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has requested a remand due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure to noise from aircraft service and herbicides as a result of his duties flying KC-135 tankers.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not caused by hazardous noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss was shown on entrance into active duty and did not increase in severity during service, thus the Board finds that service connection for right ear hearing loss is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational experience, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss results in physical incapacity that requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) on the basis of the need for the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected, with the back disability issue being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development of his claims, including a review of new evidence and readjudication.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is due to acoustic trauma during his second tour of duty in Iraq. The VA has requested a remand to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and determine its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for tuberculosis, knee disability, and hearing loss. The claim to reopen service connection for residuals of a head injury and cyst on the brain was denied. The claim to reopen service connection for fungus on the fingernails and toenails was granted. The claim to reopen service connection for shin splints and heel spurs was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for chronic bronchitis and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability. The left foot injury claim is also remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are unrelated to noise exposure in service. The Board finds this inadequate due to a mischaracterization of an audiogram as being from separation examination, lack of postservice occupational noise exposure history, and vague reasoning. Further development is needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA audiometric testing results and additional private treatment records. The Veteran will be provided another VA examination to assess his current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The VA examiner will be asked to provide a more detailed explanation regarding the significance of the normal audiometric results in December 1969 and the absence of tinnitus symptoms during service.