Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during active military service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED to allow for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for TDIU, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for hearing loss and tinnitus, and the need to update the claims file with any relevant records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for dementia remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been evaluated as non-compensable. The RO denied the Veteran's requests for increased evaluations, finding that the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his disability was rated at zero percent under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 60 percent effective August 13, 2012, and increased to 70 percent effective May 10, 2014.

The Veteran's current tinnitus began in active service and the Board has found that it is related to his service. The left ear hearing loss is also considered as being related to service, but an opinion on aggravation of hearing loss by tinnitus could not be provided without speculation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence supports a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss. Service connection is now established.

The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination due to the inconsistency and unreliability of previous audiometric test results. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to errors in the VA records and need for additional evidence regarding his employment and daily activities. A new VA examination will be arranged.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are found to be related to service exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria. The VA audiometric evaluations did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment, and the functional impairment caused by this disorder was noted in both examinations.