Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and tinnitus, finding the evidence in equipoise regarding these conditions.,Service connection was also granted for bilateral feet disorders, claimed as flat feet.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date of service connection for this condition was set at May 10, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and knee disabilities. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for determining the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied by the Board in November 2005, and he did not appeal this decision. The RO granted a TDIU effective August 24, 2009 based on his reported unemployment due to service-connected disabilities. However, it is not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to assess his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial rating for CAD was increased to 60 percent effective May 23, 2013. The TDIU claim is remanded as the Veteran has not been provided with a new VA examination or application form.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) sitting at the RO or in the alternative, a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an ENT examination and a determination on whether tinnitus is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The claim has been remanded for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and sinusitis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service, and thus granted service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as no valid claim for this condition had been received prior to January 30, 2007.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiac disorder due to further evidentiary development. The Veteran is also given an opportunity to testify at a local VA office hearing.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Board finds that his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a respiratory examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The Veteran's GERD claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than Level I in either ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent rating. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.