Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was established as meeting the criteria for a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be related to service. As such, the claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted with effective dates of May 2000 and February 2012, respectively. The claim for CUE in VA rating decisions has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and there is no evidence to support service connection for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding erectile dysfunction. The claims of service connection for diabetes, hearing loss, and left knee disability are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, including noise exposure. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that a Statement of the Case (SOC) must be issued for the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case will then be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with sufficient evidence supporting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits and entitlement to an increased rating for tinnitus during hearings held by the Board. The claims of service connection for a dental disorder, to include dental trauma, and for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss disability remain in appellate status.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder did not undergo an increase in severity during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection for aggravation of a preexisting back disorder. The case is remanded to determine the current level of PTSD severity and whether bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA medical records and will conduct further development before deciding on the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The reopened claim will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at a 40 percent since January 1, 2013.

The Veteran's hearing loss is found to be related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The claims will be remanded for a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for hearing loss or service connection for either hypertension or obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to determine the etiology and extent of his bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder.