Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of her appeal due to receiving a 100% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to service, and thus grants this claim.,However, the evidence does not support a finding of bilateral hearing loss disability due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss, and scheduling examinations for the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral ankle disabilities, and right elbow disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluation, as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the applicable regulatory standards.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to service, as his conditions did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking them to in-service noise exposure. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss was less likely caused by acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability (tinnitus) and there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation, as well as a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claims of increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no CUE in the March 1993 rating decision, and the Veteran did not provide requested information or cooperate with VA examinations.

The Veteran's vertigo is rated at 30 percent, effective June 7, 2010. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated as part of his Meniere's disease diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and increased rating for left ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to consider the impact of his bilateral hearing loss on his employability.

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.,Service connection was also granted for a back disability, but the Board found that it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board is remanding the case due to scheduling issues and will handle it in an expeditious manner. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, increased rating for invertebral disc syndrome, and reopening of bilateral hearing loss service connection are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical examinations and reviewing all relevant records.