Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional examination and review of evidence, including the Veteran's history of difficulty hearing immediately after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed left ankle injury and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for otitis and headaches have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a higher rating for his thyroid disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran was exposed to noise in service, including artillery fire, which is sufficient to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and his lumbosacral spine condition remains at a 20% rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service loud noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination, before being readjudicated.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran is now entitled to a noncompensable initial evaluation for right ear hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability and concluded that the Veteran's hearing acuity was normal at separation from service. The VA examiner opined that there is no reliable evidence linking his post-service hearing loss to service.