Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while onychomycosis and urticaria were not manifest in or related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to a compensable initial disability rating for a service-connected right knee disability, entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information available to render an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus without resorting to mere speculation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service. The claim for service connection for a back disability is also granted, with the opinion indicating it is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for loss of the bone of the skull was denied as there is no evidence of brain herniation, and the measured defect in the outer table of the skull is less than a 50 cent piece.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The VA has denied a compensable evaluation for the appellant's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of disability does not warrant such an increase.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service, within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dental disability were denied as there is no evidence of a compensable condition. The claim for PTSD resulted in an initial rating of 70% effective April 4, 2014, but the issue of TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating as his pure tone thresholds were within normal limits and he had no significant speech discrimination issues. The VA audiology examinations consistently showed mild to moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss, but with average decibel losses below 50 in both ears.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but granted an effective date of January 24, 2009, for a 30 percent rating for residuals of left shoulder injury with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not the result of injury during service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.