Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, and he is now considered unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no compensable hearing loss or significant impairment from his diagnosed conditions. The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeal regarding the left hand rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his time in Vietnam. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012 and in excess of 20 percent from May 8, 2012 forward for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, thus establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss, residuals of cervical spine strain (neck injury), and residuals of left knee injury have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's asthma disorder is found to be related to his service in Southwest Asia. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of bronchitis are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during service, including exposure to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable disability rating based on VA audiometric testing performed in June 2010, which indicated non-compensable hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as a helicopter gunner. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and service. The preponderance of the evidence is against both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and assigned an effective date of June 5, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA opinions on the Veteran's respiratory disabilities and hearing loss.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity at its worst is Level II in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a ratable disability and, giving him the benefit of the doubt, finds it was incurred in service.