Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's service prior to June 1972 and obtaining any available service treatment records. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to respond after this is completed.

The Board is remanding the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to determine whether the Appellant wishes to proceed as a substitute or on an accrued benefits basis. The remaining issues will also be readjudicated.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and whether it is related to service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish exposure to herbicide agents during service or a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring that all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears. The criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hyperacusis, as well as his claim for residuals of a right hand fracture. The decision found that there was no showing of a current disability related to ACDUTRA or any other period of service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected Hepatitis C, which causes fatigue and other symptoms that prevent him from physically demanding employment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability evaluation for his right ear injury residuals with bilateral hearing loss was denied by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a payment rate in excess of 60 percent for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as he did not have at least 18 months of active duty after September 10, 2001.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were not found to warrant higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed skin condition and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ will also confirm whether the Veteran had service in Vietnam and seek any relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure during active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The claim for service connection for colon cancer remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his service. The Veteran was also asked to provide any additional relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination with a medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's reported hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military noise exposure. The claim for tinnitus was remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.