Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinion and development of records.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against a finding that the Veteran had a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes prior to April 20, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a combined effects opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2014 VA audiological examination. Additional evidence is needed, including records of a cerumen removal procedure performed in 1983/1984.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no worsening of symptoms or additional evidence provided to support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The tinnitus claim remains pending as development was requested but not completed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent from February 20, 2014 to June 26, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder, effective before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability, a muscle twitching disorder, balance symptoms, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to her military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his vertigo is not. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but service connection for vertigo is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left leg disorder. The Veteran's in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels is presumed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, skin lesion, and bilateral knee condition due to his request for withdrawal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence that it is related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for a compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left knee and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased hearing loss and service connection for hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his hypertension.