Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they are both rated at the minimum level (0%) due to their respective disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, as his current symptoms are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The right ear hearing loss claim remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right foot and ankle issues were remanded due to allegations of increased severity since the last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer of the tongue and left tonsil (claimed as cancer of the larynx) is denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that his current condition is related to service, including presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and his satisfaction with the decision means there are no specific errors of fact or law to review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability was first noted many years after service, and his tinnitus did not manifest until after service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for recognition as the surviving spouse of the Veteran, for the purpose of substitution or obtaining accrued benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown to be productive of worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears, and therefore does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board. The VA examinations showed no worse than Level IV hearing impairment in the left ear and no worse than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear, warranting a 0 percent rating under Table VII of the VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure to machine gun fire during service and its relation to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran's heart disorder is presumed to be secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board grants reopening of the claim for a heart disorder and remands the issue for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a TBI was withdrawn. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep disorder were also withdrawn.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but denied service connection for perforation of the right tympanic membrane. The mixed type hearing loss in the right ear is considered to have both a conductive and an SNHL component.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.