Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service. The pulmonary disorder is not currently determined to be related to his active service, but may be due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of hearing loss, chest condition, left foot condition, and migraines prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA), and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, and the Board finds that it was a principal cause of death.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorder. No higher schedular rating is available.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable prior to August 29, 2012 and on and after that date. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and his Gilbert's Syndrome with irritable bowel syndrome is rated at its highest possible evaluation of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was granted, with the effective date set at March 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no current evidence of the required hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset during active service, and the Board granted his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his hearing loss in terms of occupational functioning and daily activities.

The Veteran's hearing loss and headaches have been rated based on their severity, but the appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the August 2012 decision, and the AOJ must review this evidence and readjudicate the claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from June 8, 1987 to March 7, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a Statement of the Case on his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of clarity in the examination reports and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 18, 2009 was granted. For the period from June 18, 2009 onwards, he is assigned a 10 percent disability rating.