Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss disability claim requires additional development as requested in the remand.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and consideration of the evidence submitted since the last VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during combat operations. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear otitis media and perforated tympanic membrane are rated at their maximum schedular awards (10 percent), and his hearing loss is not compensable. The appeals for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus, finding that the earliest date of receipt of claim was March 13, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for new VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for tinnitus are being reviewed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a vocational expert opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to any incident of service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss was first demonstrated long after service and is not attributable to his period of military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains at noncompensable due to his current hearing acuity levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and skin disorder of the back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's left ear disability, finding that it does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for hypertension were remanded by the Court, but the VA examiner found no aggravation beyond natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee tendonitis and prepatellar bursitis were incurred during active service, resolving all doubt in his favor. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the claim to service connection under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of radiation treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, with no presumption of exposure or other specific basis for connection.