Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and preclude gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during active service. The Veteran's current diagnosed depression is not shown to have had its clinical onset during service, thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and potentially scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure. Headaches have not been linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's otosclerosis in the left ear with hearing loss and left homonymous hemianopsia are related to his active service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records and for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the Board finds that the current disability was caused by exposure to loud noise during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active service, and he currently has diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with continuous symptoms since service separation. Tinnitus is also linked to his military service. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his hearing disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any currently shown hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD is not related to service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. He is currently rated 10% for the disability since February 6, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.