Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had level II hearing in each ear, which warranted a noncompensable rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to September 24, 2014 and a higher than 40 percent rating thereafter for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of any additional ratings.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify whether the Veteran's need for aid and attendance or housebound status is due to his service-connected disabilities alone, as he asserts.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his exposure to Agent Orange and the nature, extent, severity, and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and service-connected malformed right rib status post fracture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression). The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing is conducted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not causally related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of worsening or additional symptoms that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is service connected, as it began during or within a year after his period of active duty. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic fatigue syndrome (undiagnosed), finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a higher rating for his back disability were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims must be remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure. The current evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been manifested by Level I impairment in the right ear and Level XI impairment in the left ear throughout the appeal period, which corresponds to a 10 percent rating. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 30, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been withdrawn. The remaining claims for increased or separate evaluations for residuals of lung cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, burn scars of the right and left hands, service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis, and service connection for enlarged prostate were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings.