Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is considered to be incurred during active military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's separation pay was properly recouped from his VA disability compensation benefits, and restoration of the recouped amount is denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cancer of the tonsil wall, throat, base of tongue and salivary glands. The Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure for her hearing loss and tinnitus, and to in-service toxin exposure for her cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was also granted, but the claim for a compensable rating for nasal disability (rhinitis/sinusitis) remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure and aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus, left shoulder disability (reopened and granted), and right elbow disability are all considered. The hearing loss claim is still pending.

The Board found that the February 1994 rating decision denying service connection for hypertension, left lower extremity weakness, low back pain, hearing loss, cervical spine disability, depressive disorder, and headaches was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, while his current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been established as having onset during service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the current appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has ordered additional development regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining missing Reserve service medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for an examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss. The RO should then conduct a de novo review and consider assigning staged ratings if warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, as well as the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The Veteran will be afforded an additional VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.