Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss disability is causally linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examination found that the current disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, as it originated during his period of active service and is presumed due to noise exposure. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were denied. The Board found no current hip disabilities, and the examiner could not provide an opinion regarding aggravation of preexisting conditions due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation and no worsening of hearing thresholds during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for HIV, bilateral hearing loss, and a chronic skin disorder. The Veteran's HIV was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service. Service connection for the chronic skin disorder was granted effective June 30, 2005, but prior to March 9, 2012, the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ear disability and a right hernia disability has been remanded due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous Board orders. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection for inner ear disease or vestibular dysfunction, hearing loss, and an earlier effective date for service connection for depressive and anxiety disorders are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, diabetes mellitus to include pseudophakia, tinnitus, and residual scar of the right ear) are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left and right trapezius strain, as well as the matters of service connection for a right ankle disability and sleep apnea (claimed as due to PTSD). The other claims are being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and examinations related to his claimed disabilities, including a back disability, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current cervical spine injury with compression fracture at C4 is related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level II in each ear, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that there is a state of equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and therefore grants both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing and his disagreement with the denial of service connection for a left elbow disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.