Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, but tinnitus was observed and linked to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not have onset during active service, was not caused by an event, injury, or disease in active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his employment history and medical records, as well as for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any bilateral leg disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has remanded the case for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is being considered on the merits, without invoking any presumption or secondary service connection theory.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss is not otherwise etiologically related to such service. The claim for left ear hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence showing it manifested in active service or within one year thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of asbestosis and his respiratory conditions, including chronic bronchitis and COPD, were not present during service or for many years thereafter. The record evidence did not show they related to military service, including asbestos exposure. Bilateral hearing loss was also not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence failed to link it to service.

The Veteran's squamous carcinoma of the right neck and right base of the tongue is granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for cervical spine disability is pending, as a VA examination is needed to determine if the current condition is related to service. The claim for erectile dysfunction (ED) remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship with the service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for further examination. The issues of higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disability, migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis are on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is secondary to his service-connected chorioretinitis, and if so, whether it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent from August 3, 2011 to January 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for hypertension and left ear hearing loss, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A new medical opinion will be obtained from a VA audiologist or similarly qualified examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and grants entitlement to service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, chronic rhinitis, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO must provide a supplemental statement of the case with consideration of this new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.