Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current ratable disability involving either ear based on VA standards.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss prior to September 29, 2010 was denied. The Board found that the previous decisions denying his claim were final and thus could not be reopened or assigned a different effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the March 2012 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted by the RO in August 2012 and effective July 17, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of an October 2010 VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining another VA examination and considering any additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss and considering the Veteran's reported noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral ankle disability or tinnitus, and the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection. The claim for a knee disability secondary to lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was not adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not first manifest during active duty or within the first post-service year, and is not caused or aggravated by military service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the rating criteria, with no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 24, 2008 did not prevent him from seeking, gaining, or maintaining meaningful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, to include as secondary to her service-connected sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a comprehensive examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that these claims are inextricably intertwined with other issues. The case is therefore REMANDED to schedule a videoconference hearing before the undersigned VLJ.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.