Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression). The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss requires further development before being decided on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for hearing loss was denied as it could not be presumed due to a lack of evidence within one year post-service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA compensation standards, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his period of active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable disability rating based on VA examination results and clinical evidence. The noncompensable evaluation currently assigned accurately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or for many years after service, which weighs against a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been manifested by numeric designations no greater than Level III for the right ear and no greater than Level II for the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that further development of the claim is needed due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service. The case is REMANDED for a new medical opinion.

The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying claimed stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be evaluated in light of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, affect him in such a way that he is precluded from performing either sedentary or physical work. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his active service. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss and hallux valgus angulation of the left and right feet has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and scars were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability for hearing loss or sufficient functional impairment to warrant a compensable rating for the left shoulder disability or scars.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not shown to be caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, including from his National Guard service, as well as an addendum opinion to address whether his current hearing issues are related to military noise exposure.