Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarifying opinions regarding his right hip disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6100. His average puretone threshold in both ears is 38 decibels, which corresponds to Level I hearing and a noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not develop during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The preexisting left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of right ear hearing loss within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unchanged from the previous rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability and no in-service noise exposure resulting in permanent hearing impairment. The residuals of right wrist injury are also denied as there was no chronicity shown during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, given changes in his employment status and combined evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were contributory to his death.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Providence Centralia Hospital is being remanded due to the lack of relevant records. The AOJ will obtain any missing treatment records and daily notes from November 19-20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform his previous job duties despite his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds it as likely as not that he has hearing loss that began during his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and neurological disorders, render him unemployable. The Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including access to an electronic claims file and a VA examination.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, finding no evidence of noise exposure or acoustic trauma during his time in active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable since September 2007. The VA examinations conducted prior to April 18, 2012, did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been consistently rated as zero percent disabling throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of functional impairment or other issues that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and his left ear hearing loss is related to service. The Board has granted the claim for tinnitus but remanded for further action on the issue of left ear hearing loss.