Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as the Board finds that it had its onset in active service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity and whether it precludes him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim must also be remanded for a VA examination. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the above-remanded issues.,The Veteran's right knee disability and diabetes mellitus claims are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's right knee disability and diabetes mellitus claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are all granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to noise exposure during active military service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as these conditions are found to be related to the appellant's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during his active service and grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus type 2, is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left femur tumor removal scar with muscle hernia is rated at 20 percent, and his right ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent. The decision grants the higher rating for the left leg condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claim of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and Level IV hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to evaluate his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not present during his period of active duty and the VA examinations did not show sufficient hearing impairment to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left ear hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and inner ear disability claims are being remanded for further action due to the failure to reschedule her Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish a current disability in these areas as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination. The issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and right ear hearing loss are pending.