Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. His bilateral hearing loss has also been granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The appellant does not have recognized Federal service and therefore does not meet the requirements of basic eligibility for VA benefits. As a result, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder, and tinnitus have been rated as 100% disabling since July 24, 2007. The effective dates for the awards of TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and eligibility to DEA benefits are all set at July 24, 2007.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability, and granted.,Right ear hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and an opinion on whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities. The issue of TDIU will also be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The evidence is insufficient to link either condition to active military service.

The Board has decided that the case needs to be returned for additional development due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions and incomplete consideration of post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as it only manifests at Level I hearing impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential errors in the examination reports, lack of STRs, and conflicting evidence regarding current disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The increased rating claim for duodenal ulcer is also granted. However, further development is needed for the claims of service connection for diverticulitis/GERD and abdominal aneurysm.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA hearing evaluation reports and clinical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, both as a direct result of service and secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and examinations related to his right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA audiology examination, and the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's active duty for training periods and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus or right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not diagnosed with tinnitus, and his current bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50% since December 5, 2013.