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 right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of an acoustic neuroma, including bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and address the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as the need for a VA examination to provide etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his private audiogram and for obtaining VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The case is REMANDED to the AOJ for further development, including providing the Veteran VA examinations and obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and skin disorder due to inadequate examinations, and a new examination is required.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disability claim, specifically PTSD, remains pending as additional development is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thus denying the reopening of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and did not grant increased ratings for the Veteran's low back strain or limitation of motion associated with his ununited fracture of the clavicle.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at its worst level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board determined that the current level of disability did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric results have consistently shown Level II hearing acuity in both ears, warranting a noncompensable (0%) disability evaluation.

The Board has decided that additional VA treatment records, specifically the February 2005 audiological examination report, are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and vertigo, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 20, 2011, and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's tension-type headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective August 1, 2009.,Service connection for a deviated nasal septum is established.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they are considered to be due to a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for higher ratings from May 11, 2009 through August 27, 2012. From August 28, 2012, his bilateral hearing impairment met the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating.