Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has right ear hearing loss as a result of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or a low back disability that is attributable to active military service.,While the Veteran reported noise exposure during service, his separation examination showed normal hearing thresholds. His current hearing loss may be related to civilian noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a vocational examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the June 2008 rating decision denying service connection for left ear hearing disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support the presence of these conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service, as it clearly and unmistakably preexisted his military service and did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he currently has a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear evidence in the record regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from July 23, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure during service and the examiner determined it was more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions regarding the appellant's hearing loss and low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is less likely than not due to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to hazardous noise exposure sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.