Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran is entitled to a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claim for increased rating for tinnitus.

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 military service. The initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the medical opinion evidence did not support a connection between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD due to inadequate examination and reasoning. The issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss remains granted.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service, including acoustic trauma. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of posttraumatic stress disorder and radiculopathy of the left arm as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and skin condition of the left lower extremity are denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. Additionally, an addendum opinion should be obtained regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss underwent a permanent worsening during his last period of active duty.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a request for a DRO hearing, and no steps have been taken to address this request. The case is now returned to the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's service from August 1968 to August 1974 was under dishonorable conditions, and thus his second period of service is a bar to VA benefits related to this period. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for glaucoma, CAD, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension or bilateral hearing loss are not met.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to military noise exposure from aircrafts during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, right ear hearing loss, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new audiological evaluation and considering all evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for COPD was granted, and he is entitled to compensation based on exposure to environmental hazards during his service in the Persian Gulf War. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the local RO. The issues of service connection and rating remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was caused by in-service acoustic trauma and supported by credible lay evidence.