Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by VA examination findings and the lack of in-service evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. Updated treatment records must also be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss have been rated based on their service-connected status, but the claims for higher ratings are denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss was improper and restored the original 50% rating effective February 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were denied, while the claim for service connection for dysequilibrium was denied. The initial evaluation for PTSD remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lung disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with a December 2014 Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma in service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left thumb disability. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran should be scheduled for updated VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as well as the etiology of his claimed tinnitus and right knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records, outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records, and a need for clarification on the nature of any current lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, including an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment history and medical records. The claims of entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since the initial grant of service connection. The most recent VA audiological examinations have shown mild to moderate high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, which corresponds to Level II hearing acuity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for additional VA treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.