Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than September 10, 2010, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity sciatica, cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service, and an organic disease of the nervous system is not presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated during service. The evidence does not establish a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his military service, specifically for back problems. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have had its onset during service and is etiologically related to active service, thus granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded to obtain clarification from the private audiologist and/or schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is still considering the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The preexisting conditions did not increase in severity during service, and any current hearing loss is more likely due to natural progression post-service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatic nerve, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar of the right posterior thigh associated with a gunshot wound are denied. The claim for service connection for a right ankle sprain is also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis is rated at 10 percent, but the issues for increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 10 percent. The issues for increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 10 percent. The issue for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's decreased vision in the left eye with optic neuritis is rated at 10 percent. The issue for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's status post meningo encephalitis is rated at 10 percent. The issue for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service-connected and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain outstanding service records, verify periods of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA, and obtain another VA examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed head injury residuals.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's significant noise exposure during military service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and his active duty. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service noise exposure, which is presumed to be related to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for right ear hearing loss was improper and service connection is restored.