Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's symptoms (tinnitus, ear pain, headaches, dizziness, and vertigo) are related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for hearing loss and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates were not addressed due to the remand.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and an initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for both conditions are met due to their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residual scars due to malignant melanoma need further development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be the cause of his death, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The appellant was also denied basic eligibility for death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, bilateral knee condition, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss disability, DJD of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's reports of onset during service have been considered, along with his combat-related noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was incurred in service and granted service connection. The other issues on appeal are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and that there is competent medical evidence linking such hearing loss to noise exposure in service. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has not yet addressed his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to allow further development and consideration of both issues.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that new evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's contentions regarding his in-service onset of hearing loss and tinnitus are inconsistent with prior examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, but denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The decision is pending on the issue of whether the Veteran's gallstones are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions on the Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his level of hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating based on VA criteria. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and TMJ dysfunction have been granted. Effective February 9, 2011, he is rated at 100% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the right and left upper extremities, and 80% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. For his left ear, there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service, and the STRs show normal hearing at induction and separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not have a current left ear hearing disability.