Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with a preponderance of evidence supporting this finding. The right ear hearing loss is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, but further development is needed for the right ear hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to active service, and therefore grants service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing loss, considered disabling under VA standards, is at least as likely the result of noise exposure in service as it is the result of any other cause or factor. The Board concludes that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is warranted on a direct basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches associated with TBI is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA records from Allen Park VAMC and providing an adequate examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful sedentary occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for various conditions. The specific issues on appeal include hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney cancer, left adrenal mass, and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, leaving no issues for appellate consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are both service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may service connection be presumed. The evidence did not show a present disability during service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss, considered disabling under VA standards, is the result of an injury incurred during military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability. The claim for low back disability is pending as an issue.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a compensable degree. The left ear hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found no current disability related to the service-connected hepatitis and denied both issues of service connection for residuals of hepatitis and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a higher schedular rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as it more likely resulted from post-service occupational noise exposure.