Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted a compensable rating, with the effective date being April 9, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of frostbite of upper extremities, or peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities. However, the Veteran's PTSD with alcohol dependence warranted a 70% rating since June 20, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and an updated rating decision will be issued after further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA medical records and hospitalization records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, as well as to ensure proper consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased evaluation to 80 percent effective April 24, 2013. His status post left knee total replacement with tinnitus received a grant of increased evaluation to 10 percent for tinnitus only.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible lay evidence indicates it began in military service. For bilateral hearing loss, while audiometric test results meet the regulatory requirements for establishing a disability at separation from service, there is no competent medical evidence linking the current hearing loss to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and audiometric test results. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with consideration of all received evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from October 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and/or VA medical records related to hearing loss since 1961. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 19, 2009 for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer have been granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is partially granted.,An effective date of September 26, 2008 has been assigned for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual employability (TDIU) prior to August 25, 2008 is being remanded for further development and consideration under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether tinnitus is caused by or a symptom of service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss. However, further development is needed to obtain potentially relevant service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.