Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied due to the absence of a current disability and no nexus between his military service and his condition. The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The right ankle disability has a current rating of 20 percent, which is the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Board denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been stable and do not warrant an increased disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for cognitive impairment and memory loss, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as these conditions are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period of January 9, 2003 to January 24, 2012 due to service-connected disabilities including diabetes mellitus and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is caused by his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to January 20, 2009 and at levels up to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for increased ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during combat in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, which was conceded by VA. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has established service connection for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied both on the merits. The Veteran's hearing loss is not shown to have begun in service or be related to noise exposure during service. Tinnitus was first reported one year after separation from service.