Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to be aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss issue remains pending as the VA examiner could not provide a reliable opinion without resorting to speculation. Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as ulcers) is also pending.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to August 18, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is a delayed response to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, shoulder disability, elbow disability, wrist disability, hand disability, and hip disability are granted as they are considered direct service connections due to cold injury exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ischemic heart disease, and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and found that new evidence supports reopening. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss, but not tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering all submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and is related to noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for depression and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a noncompensable rating, effective June 21, 2011. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded for further development due to incomplete evidence regarding his periods of National Guard and Air Force Reserve service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is linked to both in-service noise exposure and a continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues, including service connection for various conditions and a TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain SSA records, service personnel records, and VA examinations for the ear disability, head trauma, and human bite claims. Additionally, a VA examination is required to address the left shoulder disorder and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not decided in this decision.