Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as 10 percent disabling since February 5, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss, as the most recent VA audiology examination does not include valid puretone test results necessary to rate the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not present a disability picture so exceptional or unusual as to render impractical the application of the schedular rating standards, and thus, the initial 20 percent disability rating remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from active duty. The VA examinations indicated no significant threshold shifts in either ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at a 10% disability rating since March 11, 2002.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was increased to a 30 percent rating effective October 10, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his IVDS and radiculopathy, and conducting any other necessary development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, and lumbar spine disability have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, but his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran withdrew from appeal the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining an opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.