Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The RO maintained the current disability ratings of 20%, 40%, and 70% for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to transportation issues preventing the scheduled hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more complete examination of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss at a Travel Board hearing held on March 16, 2011. The claim for left ear hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as the retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, rated at 90 percent disabling, renders him unemployable due to his disability and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arterial hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of service connection for arterial hypertension was reopened, but denied on the merits.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding unavailability of private medical records. The Veteran must be informed that certain records could not be obtained and provided with an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has referred the Veteran's TDIU claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to his service-connected disabilities, such as PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus disorder. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, clarifying dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA periods of service, and arranging for appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and its functional effects on his daily activities. Relevant VA treatment records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss with otitis media was granted, effective January 18, 2013.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that he is withdrawing his appeal to reopen claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, the appeal must be dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during active duty. Service connection is denied for back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a need for further development and hearing.