Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to a new theory of entitlement for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which may be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are not in substantial compliance with the November 2012 remand orders and has therefore ordered additional examination to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's hypertension claim is not addressed as it is unclear whether he is seeking service connection or just a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and eye conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service, and continuity of symptomatology was not established. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability involves dizziness, such as a peripheral vestibular disorder or Meniere's Syndrome.

The Veteran's left eye disability is considered a congenital defect and not service-connected. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease resulting in current residuals from his claimed right-sided facial burns, low back disability, or right ear hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The Board also finds that his claimed foot disorders, low back disorder, hip disorder, knee disorder, and ankle disorder are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle condition due to new evidence. The other issues remain in their current status.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss before June 3, 2010, and a compensable rating thereafter is remanded due to the possibility of a material change in his disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be service-connected, while the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the remaining issues of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, and a left shoulder disorder. The Veteran is entitled to a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these denied claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable disability rating based on VA audiological evaluations conducted in February and July 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to her military service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.