Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no disability rating was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as his pre-existing hearing acuity did not worsen during service. The VA expert audiologist concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss is more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent under the extraschedular provisions, considering his significant occupational impairment.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, with the VA finding that his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's vertigo is attributable to his military service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his current left ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eardrum disorder and bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, schizophrenia, and memory loss. The claims for bilateral ankle arthralgias, bilateral knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling (0%) due to the presence of some high frequency hearing impairment that results in numeric designations no greater than Level I.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn. The Board also finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if any current dental or jaw disabilities are related to service, specifically the extraction of tooth number 29 and/or 32.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to address the etiology of his hearing loss, stomach disability, cervical spine disability, and Raynaud's Phenomena.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 24, 2006.,His hearing loss disability is rated as compensable.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, residuals of frostbite/chemical burn, and right foot/ankle condition.

The Board is remanding the case due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records. The claims for reopening a service connection claim for a lower lip scar and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an audiological examination and a back disability examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records, including from private providers and VA facilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are being reviewed again.