Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a pulmonary disorder are under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated during his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and granted a claim of entitlement. The left knee strain and GERD ratings are also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are not supported by credible evidence of a continuity of symptomatology since service or an association with service. The claims will be remanded to further develop the record.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The claim for a back disability was also denied as there is no credible evidence linking any current back condition to military service.

The Board has determined that there is CUE in the February 1996 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the effective date of the grant of service connection for these conditions is being granted as early as March 3, 1995.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA audiology examination to determine if current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as there is evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (onset during service) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted based on direct service connection. The claim for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran experienced symptoms since service, which he testified to in his April 2013 hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and an examination assessing the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining post-November 2011 treatment records from the Charleston VA Medical Center and providing a new VA examination for the TDIU claim. The issues on appeal include reopening of a hearing loss claim, service connection for various peripheral neuropathies, tinnitus, hyperkeratosis, wrist scar, foot scar, and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to loud noise during service.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.