Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding functional impairment and additional treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, headaches, and bruxism (teeth grinding) as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has reinstated the Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss, effective as of November 29, 2011. The Veteran is also granted a higher 70 percent rating since March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims are not ready for appellate review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, a left calf strain disability, obstructive sleep apnea, tinea capitis, chlamydial urethritis, and vasectomy. The reasons given were that there was insufficient credible evidence to support these claims.

The Board has found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss. The issues of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred in December 2008 and January 2009 is denied as VA did not provide prior authorization for the treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private hearing evaluation records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of tinea pedis, residuals of snow blindness, and sleep disorder. Bilateral hearing loss was not established as a result of service. Service connection cannot be granted for tobacco and alcohol use.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease (claimed as vertigo/loss of balance). The Veteran's other claims, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and residuals of a ruptured appendix, are pending further development or remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification and additional medical examinations for his hearing loss and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ankle disability, to include peroneal tendonosis with subluxation, is causally related to an in-service event, injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy (bilateral upper extremities), as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and due to herbicide exposure. The decision found no current disabilities involving these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.