Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is reasonably shown to have begun during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA outpatient records, specifically from October 2010 through January 2013. The appellant's claims file should be forwarded to an audiologist for an addendum opinion regarding whether hearing loss and/or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection in October 2008, and his auditory acuity levels have fluctuated over time. The current average hearing thresholds are 64 decibels in the right ear and 69 decibels in the left ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examinations did not support a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's gout, hearing loss, and asthma. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left shoulder disorder have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the current nature and extent of his disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) remains pending as additional information may be required.

[object Object]

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The claims of service connection for various conditions remain under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability evaluations for his claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and providing a VA opinion on whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

Your appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was not warranted, as his initial claim for hearing loss did not include tinnitus. The effective date remains July 22, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for a bilateral foot disorder is remanded as there are insufficient medical records to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him blind, bedridden, or a patient in a nursing home. His service-connected conditions do not preclude his ability to independently perform daily functions of self-care and to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that he is not shown to be restricted to his dwelling or immediate premises.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The claims for right elbow disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss have been rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, so no higher rating can be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss in the left ear are found to be related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. The right knee disability is not currently shown as a separate condition from the left knee disability or back disability.