Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss or an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The evidence does not show a current disability at issue.

The Board found new and material evidence to have been submitted, but the claim was not reopened as service connection could not be established due to lack of competent medical evidence linking hearing loss to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since April 2009, which includes a statement from the Veteran's wife. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to August 9, 2012 and at 50 percent since then. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU, as of March 24, 2011, have been met.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss, as the previous examination report was based on an inaccurate history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any present disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of relevant treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 11, 2012, for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a claim filed before this date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied, while his claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent prior to May 29, 2007, for PTSD was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions.

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

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has exhibited no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and Level IV hearing in the left ear for the entire initial rating period on appeal, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher (compensable) initial disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and kidney disability (residuals of kidney stones) have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to noise exposure during active service.