Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders, did not begin during or were otherwise caused by her active service. As such, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder (asthma). The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 30, 2011. As a result, he is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. However, the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, specifically his in-service exposure to loud noise. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and any in-service noise exposure.

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

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 19, 2008 and remains at that level thereafter. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues on the same day he received a decision from the Board, effectively dismissing the appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, tinnitus, hearing loss, tinea pedis of the hands, and skin disability of the feet are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the VA criteria for a disability, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the September 1986 and November 1999 decisions denying service connection for left ear hearing loss, as well as the August 1999 decision denying service connection for hip disability, did not contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE). However, the September 1986 decision to deny service connection for knee disability contained CUE. As a result, the Board has reversed the denial of service connection for knee disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that it is related to service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.