Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The TDIU rating claim has been granted due to the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has not been found to be more severe than the criteria associated with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from the audiologist regarding the functional effects of the Veteran's hearing loss and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining VCAA notice for the eye disorder claim and accounting of compensation benefits paid. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine if hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision problems (cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma), including as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and colon cancer. The Veteran will also need updated treatment records from his VA provider.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently manifested by level II hearing acuity, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD claim was denied, but he received a grant for his left foot injury. The claims of service connection for neck disability, left eye disability, and bilateral hearing loss were not addressed as they are not service-connected. Service connection was granted for ED secondary to PTSD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and irritable bowel secondary to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to a lack of consideration of all pertinent evidence, including the Veteran's and his wife's reports of hearing aids in the 1980s and a change in hearing recorded from induction to separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, hypertension, cervical spine DJD, and lumbar spine DDD are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection based on in-service noise exposure or other established medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, neck disability, upper back disability, tinnitus, and PTSD were denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD and low back disability are not earlier than May 6, 2009, and September 22, 2009 respectively.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a videoconference hearing. The claims will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as a VA examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from weaponry fire. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the additional evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.