Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disability, back disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The evidence does not show any right ear disability other than hearing loss and tinnitus for which the Veteran is already service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to loss of use in hands or feet.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for a VA examination and unclear notification of the examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, as the evidence supports a diagnosis related to combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not have a hearing loss disability at the time of his September 2008 claim and has not had one since.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for higher rating for right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the debt of $29,785.00 for overpayment of nonservice-connected pension benefits was withdrawn. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new evidence showing current hearing loss in one or both ears.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation due to additional evidence being needed, including VA clinical records and a social and industrial survey. The issues are inextricably intertwined with a pending claim of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA, SSA, and private medical records. A new VA examination will also be conducted to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service noise exposure. His major depression disorder is also service-connected, as it is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, low back strain, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that he meets this criterion for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least in part due to noise exposure during active service. The other issues on appeal have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and readjudicating the service connection claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss have been reopened. However, the evidence does not establish that he has current hearing loss disability in either ear.

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

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as the current disability levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular evaluation standards.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was manifested by no more than level VI hearing impairment in the right ear, and level XI hearing impairment in the left ear. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 50 percent for this condition is not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence does not establish a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure. The increased rating claims for knee disabilities are also denied.