Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The other claims are pending further development and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, status post radical mastoidectomy, is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for forearm rash due to active flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, have rendered him unemployable due to his mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, and concludes that service connection is warranted. However, the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of aggravation beyond normal progression during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and low back pain with scoliosis will be remanded to consider de novo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with no specific rating assigned as both conditions were found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability due to service, and thus denies his claim for service connection. For the entire period of appeal, there is no evidence showing a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is denied as it does not exceed the required 50% evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing outstanding records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD and hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for hepatitis C, a bilateral ear condition other than hearing loss in the right ear, and entitlement to TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss have been increased to 10 percent from November 24, 2008, to September 15, 2010, 20 percent from September 16, 2010, to August 19, 2011, and 30 percent since August 20, 2011. The appeal is REMANDED for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing impairment not warranting a compensable evaluation.