Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and right knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The effective date is not specified as it was a direct grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but the claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling new VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an eye disorder due to radiation exposure, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) but denied them on their merits. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are considered, along with his in-service noise exposures and post-service symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing disability.

The Board has remanded this case for further action, including scheduling a travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), and denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a low back condition. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and is unrelated to his military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if his current hearing loss disability is related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent since March 24, 2009. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating as it only met criteria for level V and XI hearing in both ears.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear since he filed his claim, and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.