Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as his pre-existing hearing loss was less likely than not aggravated by service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The VA and private audiometric evaluations have consistently shown that his hearing impairment is at Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has not worsened to a level that warrants an increased rating. The most recent VA examination did not show any significant improvement in his hearing acuity or speech recognition ability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria and does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is as likely as not due to the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise levels during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the appeal of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acoustic neuroma is remanded due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability. Additionally, another VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's currently diagnosed lumbosacral strain is etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and whether his tinnitus caused or aggravated his hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lower back disability was not aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss disability is being remanded as the February 2011 VA examination opinion relied solely on the Veteran's normal separation hearing test, which may be inadequate.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including foot drop, diabetic neuropathy, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU with an effective date set by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a more recent examination for TMJ and scheduling of a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and SSA records, as well as a new VA examination for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for left inguinal hernia and right ear hearing loss, finding that the conditions are at least as likely as not related to service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal to restore a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, as the evidence did not demonstrate actual improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence that it was caused by noise exposure. The Board finds the Veteran's recent statement regarding treatment for 'bleeding ears' to be less credible than the contemporaneous STRs.