Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the current disability ratings are considered adequate based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, ITP, recurrent infections, otalgia, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right hip scar. The reasons were that these conditions did not manifest in service or are unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, but his hearing loss disability and hypertension claims remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely caused by noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritic condition is not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for this condition.,While the Veteran was exposed to noise during service, the evidence does not establish he currently has a hearing loss disability in his right ear. Service connection for hearing loss in his left ear is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, left little finger fracture with residual flexion deformity, and hemorrhoids as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues in August 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for a higher disability rating for her bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a disease or injury during service. The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities are less likely related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these disorders.

The VA determined that the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, specifically his 6-month period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in August 1964. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The VA examiners concluded that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability or cold weather residuals to the extremities due to any incident of his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims file, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any outstanding private treatment records. The case will be readjudicated to determine if the Veteran is entitled to TDIU on a schedular or extraschedular basis.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are decided. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.