Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service. The rating for the Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis with calluses will also be remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss can be decided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left wrist degenerative joint disease are all found to be related to service. The appeal is granted in full.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability in service and there is no credible evidence that his tinnitus began during service or is related to service. ,Service connection for iritis is denied due to lack of post-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to October 6, 2011. A staged increase in the evaluation from 10% to 30% was granted effective October 6, 2011.,Service connection for malignant melanoma with residual scarring due to exposure to sunlight and Agent Orange is established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding preexisting hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate notice provided to the Veteran regarding the information and evidence necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied by the Board. The Veteran was found to have no more than level I hearing impairment in both ears during the entire pendency of his appeal, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for higher ratings at any point.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability (left hip replacement), right knee disability (right knee replacement), low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus prior to a decision being made.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his low back disorder, knee disorder, right upper extremity numbness, residuals of a dog bite to the right hand, and fractured knuckle on the right hand do not have evidence of onset during service or within one year thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's testimony at his July 2013 hearing indicated that he may have a respiratory disease related to service, and there are concerns about his ability to attend necessary VA examinations.