Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board video-conference hearing. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen as a result of noise exposure in service.

The Veteran died in May 2012 from cardiopulmonary arrest, with underlying causes including interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. The death was not due to service-connected disabilities, so the claim for increased burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received within one year of the October 1992 rating decision, thus keeping it from becoming final. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's audiometric evaluations show at worst Level I hearing impairment in one ear and Level II hearing impairment in the other ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for vitiligo was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not arise during or as a result of his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased evaluation for lumbar strain was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma, thus resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, with the exception of normal hearing bilaterally. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the threshold minimum requirements of VA regulations to establish a ratable hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities meeting VA compensation criteria. The claims for service connection have been denied.

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 tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 70 percent effective February 19, 2014. Service connection for hairy cell leukemia has been granted based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are found to have had their onset during active military service and are therefore granted service connection.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is found to be caused by his service-connected PTSD and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to address the claims of service connection for a lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability. The case will be reviewed after all requested actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing via video conference. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision regarding the Veteran's claims. Specifically, clarification is sought as to whether the Veteran wishes to pursue the issue of bilateral hearing loss and if so, whether she desires a hearing on this issue. Additionally, efforts are required to obtain missing service treatment records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and any outstanding VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer and hearing loss/tinnitus was granted, with the effective date set at the date of his initial claim (March 7, 2011). The conditions are considered to have arisen during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a new VA audiological examination.