Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA audiology examinations and records, including those related to his hearing loss treatment. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ after all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable from August 18, 2011 to November 17, 2014. The claim for a compensable rating since November 18, 2014 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of a statement of the case on his GSW residuals claim.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease and found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological evaluations and treatment records, as well as a new medical opinion addressing his hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's post-service diagnosis of hemorrhoids is related to his in-service hemorrhoid problems. The other conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and clarification of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss claim, including an opinion on whether it was aggravated by service or otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection as the conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at The Villages Regional Hospital from May 3, 2013 to May 6, 2013. The Board is unable to determine if appropriate VA facilities were available and whether there was a medical emergency that would have required immediate attention. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in active duty service and is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, no referral for extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, and he has been granted a 50 percent rating for his somatization disorder. However, the claim for a higher rating than 50 percent remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, throat cancer due to smoking, gout involving the left great toe and ankles, a bilateral ankle disability other than gout, calcaneal bone spur of the right foot, and a left foot disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service or any presumptive conditions.