Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for a stomach disorder remains pending.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right and left eye disabilities, and residuals of trauma to tooth number eight due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for both conditions. The Veteran withdrew these appeals during a June 2014 hearing.,The Board also found that there is no evidence of an earlier claim for service connection for tinnitus prior to the current effective date of June 20, 2011. Therefore, the earliest possible effective date for service connection of tinnitus is June 20, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a hearing impairment under VA regulations. The claim for TDIU remains pending and will be remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and rhinitis are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and to ensure all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion regarding his service connection claims.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection and increased ratings for hernia/stomach disability and right ear hearing loss. The case will be remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, broken right ear drum, and tinnitus were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss, headaches, and external otitis were not found to be related to his service. The Veteran did not experience compensable hearing loss at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis, and service connection for sleep apnea. The effective date claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal service connection claim prior to August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and the VA examiner found no evidence to support a connection between his current hearing impairment and in-service noise exposure. The Board therefore determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss could not be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Hepatitis C may be related to his service, but additional evidence is needed to clarify this issue. The VA will need to obtain records from Yale Community Hospital and other relevant treatment providers for a definitive opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current Hepatitis C.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was factually ascertainable as of May 31, 2012 and warrants a compensable rating (10%) from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA medical records from January 1968 to June 1984. The case will be returned for further development.