Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities in November 2006, but reopened them with new evidence received since then.,Service connection was not established for cervical stenosis with disc protrusions and cord compression or lumbar spine congenital canal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and nerve root impingement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on his PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with mechanical low back pain and left ear hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and new and material evidence have been denied. The Board found no current disability manifested by degenerative arthritis separate from other disabilities on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, resolving doubt in his favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left foot is pending. The Board found that there was no schedular basis for granting a compensable rating for the hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied reopening of the claim for bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for red cancer on neck, left knee condition, sprain of the right knee, disability of the cervical spine, disability of the lumbar spine, and crushed left foot have been denied. The reduction in evaluation from 100 percent disabling to non-compensably disabling for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as VA examinations from July 2013 have not been added to the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current manifestations of these conditions within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure are considered competent but not credible medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service in 1959, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 50 percent effective December 31, 2013. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination for his hearing loss and an opportunity to perfect his disagreement on service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 40% since June 30, 2010 and increased to 50% effective August 29, 2015. His PTSD is currently rated at 30%. Both conditions have been granted.,PTSD symptoms include occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, muscle injuries from SFWs, scars, and malaria.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including the ones related to hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal for PTSD evaluation is also dismissed.