Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected right leg scar is also denied. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a lymph node simple biopsy remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The initial evaluation for PTSD is set at 30 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, liver cancer, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, a bladder disability, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals are granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's PTSD claim, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination and obtaining updated medical records. The TDIU issue will also be addressed during this process.

The Veteran's DIC claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied because he did not meet the requirement of having a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding his death. The non-service-connected death pension claim was also denied due to the appellant's income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No decisions were made on any claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination and obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection and assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Tinnitus has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Tinnitus was granted as it was incurred in service and not due to any other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of in-service injury that would support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA, and therefore cannot establish service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with tinnitus being found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions. The preponderance of the evidence showed that these disabilities first manifested many years after service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for hearing loss. However, the Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an equipment malfunction in the audio recording of his November 2014 hearing. He will be scheduled for a new video conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his recent move, and a video conference hearing will be scheduled at a VA location closest to his new home address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is attributable to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.