Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the January 2010 audiological examination is inadequate and remands for a new VA audiology evaluation to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a sleep disability (presumably sleep apnea). The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the exception of his left ear disabilities. The Veteran is granted service connection for right ear tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board finds that it can as likely as not be attributed to in-service exposure to noise. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residual numbness of the right fifth finger status post fusion surgery, as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating was not ripe at this time due to pending development on other issues.,Service connection was granted for residual numbness of the right fifth finger status post fusion surgery based on continuity of symptomatology since service and credible lay evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a pulmonary disorder are both denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with at least equipoise evidence in favor of this conclusion.

The Veteran's initial claim for service-connected bilateral hearing loss resulted in a noncompensable rating prior to March 24, 2014. Since then, he has been rated with a 10 percent disability rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in severity of his hearing impairment at any time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his service, while the mitral valve prolapse is not considered to have a connection with his military service.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, but his tinnitus is not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has returned the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss service connection and automobile and adaptive equipment benefits are pending.

The Board denied service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has ordered a new examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the current assigned ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.