Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder, coronary artery disease, hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include rating his anxiety and depressive disorder, increased hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, ischemic heart disease, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during service. The VA examiner found the evidence insufficient to establish a direct link between his current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The other issues are not addressed as the appeal pertains to service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to reconcile conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED for a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional audiological examination and treatment records, as well as further clarification of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as he indicated his intent not to pursue this issue prior to certification of the appeal. The case is remanded for a statement of the case on the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge due to the Veteran's failure to report to the previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred in service, as evidenced by a diagnosis of the same condition during active duty training prior to his regular active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The claim for left ear hearing loss is pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure of proper notification and scheduling of a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are not related to service or any incident of service origin. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions were not present in service or until many years thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and will ensure that all relevant records are obtained before readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board finds that the available schedular evaluations for his service-connected tinnitus are adequate and that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss.