Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and shoulder conditions, are sufficiently severe to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 27, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pseudoseizures and PTSD, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since July 7, 2003. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is warranted from this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss to determine their etiology, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's contentions regarding early manifestations of hypertension at separation have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if the aggregate effect of his service-connected disabilities precludes him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a hearing, and the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination and issuance of a SOC on his increased evaluation claim for CAD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional clarifying comment on whether his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service noise exposure. The case will be readjudicated after a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and consideration of the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and further development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to properly notify him of a scheduled hearing. He will be given another opportunity for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has determined that additional medical inquiry is needed to clarify the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether these conditions are related to a period of Naval Reserve ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA prior to active service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ear pain, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the noise exposure during active duty being a contributing factor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to missing service personnel records and additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any pertinent private treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated following the completion of this development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.