Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of these claims. The Board has not jurisdiction over these issues and they are therefore dismissed.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria, as his audiometric results did not meet the threshold for any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, epididymitis, and a respiratory disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and is therefore not presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus claimed as the result of herbicide exposure is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the criteria in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was granted service connection as it is presumed to have started during his military service. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), a lung condition, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his left ear hearing loss disability was found to be related to noise trauma in service. However, the right ear hearing loss disability is not considered to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability (enlargement), lumbar spine disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, otitis, kidney enlargement, and dizziness were denied. The appeal is dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current medical opinion is deemed inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to scheduling issues and will handle them in an expeditious manner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.