Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his history of in-service combat noise exposure, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not addressed as it was not adjudicated by the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination. The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma claim will also be reviewed by a clinician to determine if it is related to service, specifically Agent Orange exposure.

The Board finds the evidence does not establish a current disability for VA purposes, and thus denies the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

Service connection for arthritis in the hands is not granted as there is no evidence of such condition during service or within one year thereafter.,The claim to reopen the matter of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as new and material evidence has not been received that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (no noise exposure in service).,The claim to reopen the matter of service connection for a back disability is denied as new and material evidence has not been received that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (no current chronic back disability shown).,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the matter of service connection for a left ankle disability. The Veteran now has a diagnosed left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and thus no longer has jurisdiction over the claim for a compensable evaluation for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a non-compensable evaluation. The VA examiner determined the Veteran’s puretone thresholds, and based on these results, no compensable rating can be granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to active duty service. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, mechanical low back pain, and residual scar of an excised ganglion cyst of the left wrist are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The VA determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his military service, as there was no evidence of permanent hearing loss at separation and the June 1964 audiogram showed some degree of hearing loss. The Board finds the VA's decision on this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to June 2, 2014 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran warranted a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of his statements regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests clarification on whether the Veteran wants a hearing for his dizziness disability claim.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety is currently rated at 50 percent. The effective date for this rating has been set as November 30, 2007.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be service-connected. The right and left knee disabilities, as well as the bilateral pes cavus, metatarsalgia, and fasciitis were not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals, including those related to cervical spine disorder, liver disorder (including fatty liver), GERD, skin disorder, left knee disorder, gallbladder disorder (including gallstones), erectile dysfunction, IBS, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in this case, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to address the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities.