Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding of current disability and continuity of symptomatology from service. The Board finds that his assertions regarding in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The issue of a TDIU is also remanded due to new evidence indicating an increase in PTSD severity.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 11, 2009 for the award of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is denied. The earliest possible effective date based on new and material evidence other than service department records is March 11, 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all found to be related to service. The Board has granted the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The back disability was rated at 20 percent, the right foot disability at 10 percent, and tinnitus received its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's only 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss was effective from January 24, 2001. The death occurred on September [redacted], 2010, and the Veteran had a 100% rating for approximately nine years and nine months immediately before his death. There is no legal basis to grant DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The claim for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition are not related to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting etiological opinions and a need for clarification of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran should be afforded another VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for nerve damage of the jaw, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is not related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted based on evidence showing a perceptible change in hearing during service. The tinnitus is also considered service-connected as it is related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The effective date of the grant remains pending, as does his claims for an increased rating and a temporary total rating due to convalescence from treatment.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for right ear hearing loss or left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure that would support a finding of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted such a rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for alopecia prior to November 4, 2011, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will schedule new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.