Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD, entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The VA will conduct a new examination and provide medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether his current conditions are related to service. The AOJ will also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as non-compensable, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and eczema are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 25, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for clarification on audiometric test results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The extension of temporary total ratings based on post-surgical convalescence after surgery for the service-connected right toe disability were also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability has been denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability. The left ear hearing loss and heart disorder claims are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during active military service and granted service connection for this condition. However, it was determined that his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure during service and both conditions were diagnosed many years after separation. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision also grants the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and hypertension have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted.,Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2011 VA examination. A new examination is required to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric results at separation from service.

The Veteran's hearing loss prior to April 2014 was rated at 10 percent.,Starting from April 2014, his hearing loss is rated at 30 percent.