Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether they are related to his periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether there is a relationship between service and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a cancelled VA examination, and now requires additional evidence and an opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

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

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete VA records and referred the case for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's TDIU rating is being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarifying opinions regarding his right hip disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6100. His average puretone threshold in both ears is 38 decibels, which corresponds to Level I hearing and a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not develop during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The preexisting left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of right ear hearing loss within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unchanged from the previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability and no in-service noise exposure resulting in permanent hearing impairment. The residuals of right wrist injury are also denied as there was no chronicity shown during service.

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 updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, given changes in his employment status and combined evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were contributory to his death.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Providence Centralia Hospital is being remanded due to the lack of relevant records. The AOJ will obtain any missing treatment records and daily notes from November 19-20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits are on appeal.