Hearing loss decisions — 2015

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for increased ratings of hypertension and initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remain denied as there is no established service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, including noise exposure during parachute jumps. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Regarding low back disability, the Veteran's low back disability is not currently diagnosed and there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability recognized by VA.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not originate in service and is not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any physical residuals of a perforated right ear drum, and his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease are related to the condition. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, as evidenced by his exposure to loud noises during his time in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus, is currently evaluated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a member of the Board at his local RO.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the October 2012 VA examination report. The examiner did not consider the possibility that noise exposure in service could have caused his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological examination results and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these developments.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 10, 2013 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on deafness of both ears is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right hand peripheral neuropathy, cold injury residuals of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and hearing loss, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the appellant's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for VA examinations to address his right ankle, left ear disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.