Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in August 2009, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The claims were reopened but remain denied.,Service connection was not established for tinnitus as the evidence does not support a link between the condition and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable (greater than 0%) rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Video Conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, due to his inability to travel to Washington DC. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia are being considered.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder. The Board dismissed this issue as a result.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct necessary examinations, and ensure all development has been completed. The issues include seeking higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease, as well as service connection for a lung nodule and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because no current hearing loss disability was shown. The Board finds that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen this claim. Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran reported having ringing in his ear since service, with persistence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a supplemental report from the August 2011 VA examiner and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and readjudication of all issues. The RO must also issue a Statement of the Case addressing new claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been characterized by no more than Level VI hearing impairment in the right ear, and Level V hearing impairment in the left ear since August 11, 2007. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the RO in Huntington, West Virginia.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings have been denied. The RO/AMC has reviewed the evidence and determined that no new or material evidence has been received to reopen any previously denied service connection claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claim for service connection of basal cell carcinoma has been reopened and remains pending. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the VA to obtain additional treatment records and conduct further examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.