Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for left ear hearing loss and residuals of perforated eardrums were denied as there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service. The claim for a seizure disorder was previously denied, but new and material evidence has been received since the June 1983 rating decision. No disability rating adjustment or TDIU determination can be made at this time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, neck disability, bunion right foot, and bunion left foot were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at zero percent (noncompensable) since the effective date of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, but there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether these conditions were caused by service. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it originated during active service and he was exposed to noise there. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a skin examination to assess the severity of his warts. An addendum opinion on tinnitus and its etiology will also be needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran sustained acoustic trauma during service, but there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for the Veteran's back disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his disability is currently rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have onset during active service, was not caused by active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently confirmed, but a definitive opinion regarding its etiology cannot be provided without resorting to speculation.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not present during active duty service or for many years after service, and did not have its onset during a period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left hand ring finger disability, and neck disability are related to his service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise from artillery guns. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are of such severity as to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.