Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches has been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 1, 2013, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 20 percent effective from October 2014, based on his most recent VA examination results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fatigue, and left ear hearing loss. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The VA must also obtain treatment records from the Ann Arbor VAMC and ensure that all requested development actions have been completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's melanoma and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, with no recurrence of melanoma documented in the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating based on audiometric test results, resulting in no more than a noncompensable rating under Table VII of VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and IVDS with right side radiculopathy have been granted. His claim for an increased rating for low back disability has also been granted, but the effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and he has current bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied as there is no diagnosed condition that would qualify under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and there is no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his puretone thresholds and speech discrimination scores do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a more current audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he contends are related to his military noise exposure. The VA has not provided a thorough examination or opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.