Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of bilateral hearing loss at any time during the pendency of his appeal. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain VA treatment records and provide an addendum opinion from the May 2013 VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it is considered to be a result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cold injury residuals of the hands, feet, ears and nose, and basal cell carcinoma. The decision found that there was no evidence linking current disabilities to service or any presumptive period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and evaluation of left orchiectomy residuals were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, and his left orchiectomy residuals do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent effective July 29, 2010. The rating has remained unchanged since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected traumatic encephalopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and the need for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss in his left ear and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all pending claims before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and its impact on his ability to work. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated as part of this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new audiological examination to assess the severity of his right ear high frequency hearing loss and consideration of multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. � 3.324.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a skin disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.