Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, and an effective date of January 18, 2007, is assigned for the award of service connection for chondromalacia of the glenohumeral joint of the left shoulder (status post repair).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The remaining claims of service connection for neck, shoulder, back, hip, and leg disabilities have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of hearing loss was not addressed in detail as it pertains to a different theory of entitlement (presumptive service connection) which was not applicable.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim is also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes, as his auditory thresholds do not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment has been characterized by Level I hearing impairment in both ears prior to June 16, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Depression as secondary to MS, and Tinnitus due to MS. Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left ear hearing loss, and right shoulder disability have been granted. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are denied.,No effective date has been assigned as the evidence is not sufficient to establish when these disabilities began.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 2011 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disease (asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).