Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been clinically shown to be manifested by no worse than Level III hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an MRI report and considering a VA examination conducted in October 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case regarding the increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and allowing the Veteran to appeal any decision on TDIU.

The Veteran's sliding hiatal hernia has been rated at 30 percent since February 3, 2015. The right ankle strain and TDIU issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not arise during or within one year of active military service and was not caused by his in-service excessive noise exposure, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. The initial rating for PTSD from January 30, 2008 to July 29, 2009 is granted at 50 percent, and since July 30, 2009 is granted at 70 percent. TDIU prior to July 30, 2009 was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral plantar warts are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 10 percent disabling since November 14, 2014. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after all available evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination to assess the severity of his hearing loss and PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of concussion, shrapnel fragment wound of the face, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical opinion is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as the current examination report does not provide sufficient information on this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on evidence of a current disability and in-service noise exposure. The Veteran was provided with adequate VA examinations for both conditions.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a skin disorder, as well as denying entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for neurogenic bladder. Service connection is granted as the Veteran's current disability is at least 50% likely due to his in-service injury. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The opinions are needed to address whether the conditions pre-existed service, were related to in-service noise exposure, or manifested within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's eye disorders, diagnosed as cataracts, dry eyes, pinguecula, and pterygium, are related to his active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more and his combined service-connected disabilities are rated at 90 percent. The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.