Hearing loss decisions — 2014

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, his claim for service connection for hypertension requires further development and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not linked to his active duty service and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he attributes to noise exposure during his military service. The VA has requested a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest possible effective date provided by law is February 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his military service. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise from diesel engine operation. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD prior to April 6, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an initial rating of 30 percent effective December 13, 2011. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were determined based on when entitlement arose rather than when claims were filed.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, recurrent lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, nerve disorders of the arms, legs, feet, and toes, and acquired eye disorder, were not shown to be related to service. The Board finds that these conditions did not manifest during active service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for tinnitus due to a full grant of benefits. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, nor may it be presumed to have occurred. The Board also determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability. Service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and Meniere's disease are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The left ankle condition, left knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to these conditions will also be remanded.