Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury. However, the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have not been granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service occurrence or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are sufficient to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his education, occupational background, and the impact on communication ability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, a complete copy of the December 18, 2014, VA record must be obtained, as well as all other outstanding records pertinent to the claim. The Veteran should also be scheduled for a VA examination by an examiner with sufficient expertise to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss disability and tinnitus present during the period of the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted his July 2011 audiological examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss was manifested by no worse than a numerical designation of Level II for each ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and lung disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disability during his active duty service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent evidence linking any current low back disability to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of left ear surgery was denied due to a lack of timely filing of the Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was found to be at levels not warranting a compensable rating prior to May 10, 2010; between May 10, 2010, and August 2, 2013, the disability warranted a 10 percent rating; from August 2, 2013, the disability warranted no more than a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a stab wound to the liver, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Veteran's fractured right foot first metatarsal is currently rated as a noncompensable disability due to pain and soreness. The Board has granted a 10% rating for this condition.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, left knee osteoarthritis, or respiratory/pulmonary disability that can be linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for a visual disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection, on the merits, for those disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found no evidence of an increase in disability during service for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, and thus denied his claim for service connection.