Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and he is already service connected for lead poisoning. The hearing loss claim will be remanded as it requires further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the onset occurring during his military service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, and the Board has granted this claim. The issue of an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of an extraschedular evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the regulatory threshold criteria to be considered a disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has now vacated this decision due to a settlement agreement. The case is being remanded for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current fungal infection of the left ear related to military service and there is no evidence linking his hearing loss to service or an in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from September 28, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and procedural actions, including a statement of the case on service connection for hypertension and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral ED, cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities are all denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and metastatic seminoma are not related to service. The Board finds that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying opinions on the nexus of his claimed disabilities with service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the current evidence did not support a finding of a current disability for either condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is a result of his military service and not due to other causes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and the provision of relevant medical records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.