Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be causally related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg neuritis, and bilateral hip arthritis claims are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as his hearing was normal at service separation and there is no evidence of a nexus between current conditions and military noise exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most severe impairment being Level I in both ears. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling that he needs regular aid and attendance to dress, feed himself, and protect him from hazards in his daily environment. The Board finds the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical examination and development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and residuals of hernia removal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the back and neck, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all related to his active military service. The evidence shows he was exposed to noise in service which led to his current hearing loss and tinnitus. His orthopedic conditions are also linked to his years of service due to repetitive motion injuries.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during service or due to in-service noise exposure, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, with no evidence of any significant functional impairment or other issues related to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is manifested by an exceptional pattern of hearing loss in the left ear resulting in a Roman Numeral VIII, while his right ear hearing loss resulted in a Roman Number IV at worst.

The Board has ordered a new VA medical examination to determine the etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disorders, as the previous opinions were inadequate. The Veteran's service treatment records note left ear hearing loss at his pre-induction examination and induction examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination, which did not adequately address the significance of any shifts in hearing acuity during service. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is being evaluated for potential etiology related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability but denied reopening of his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current pulmonary disability or hearing loss related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his hearing loss remains in dispute. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological testing results and private hearing test results from Kaiser Permanente. The case will be adjudicated again after the development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss will be addressed in a separate remand.