Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his lung nodules and hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by blood pressure readings with a diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or a systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more at any time during the appeal period, and thus does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service. The issue of an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to a need for further examination. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and service connection for PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss from June 20, 2012, with a noncompensable rating initially assigned, which was later increased to 10 percent effective June 20, 2012. Service connection for PTSD was not established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records and an addendum opinion from the VA otolaryngologist and audiologist.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty. The VA audiologists' opinions were considered most persuasive in reaching this conclusion.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not occur during service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records, as well as a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's current left ear disability is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service. Additional examination and records are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip, back, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disability for which service connection can be granted. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the disabilities at issue, including private medical records that have been added to the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating prior to April 30, 2013 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning on April 30, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The earliest clinical evidence of these conditions was more than 40 years after separation from service.