Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for hearing loss were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher ratings prior to September 20, 2013, and after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining records. The issues on appeal include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a travel board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service, and his left hand tremor is not related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during this appeal.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a growth on the left foot due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss remains in dispute. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded to obtain a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded to obtain clarification from the private audiologist regarding the use of the Maryland CNC test and to schedule a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not show that his disability warrants a compensable evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss disability to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable disability rating, and her left ear hearing loss has been granted service connection but remains at a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support an increased rating for either condition.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, resulting in service connection being granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology. The issues of service connection will be resolved prior to addressing the claim for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his period of active service. Service connection for hepatitis C was not addressed due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability had its onset during his active service and grants the claim for service connection.