Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of PTSD, arthritis of the neck, low back, and left side, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right knee disability, headaches, hearing loss, a disability to account for joint and body aches, and sore throat. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to consider whether a combined extraschedular rating should be considered.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was incurred as a result of noise exposure during active service. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded. The issue of service connection for loss of auricle has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as there is evidence of in-service noise exposure and current disabilities. The decision also allows the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest within one year of service and was not incurred or aggravated by in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking his current hearing loss to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with consideration given to the possibility of delayed-onset conditions. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination and opinion provided in August 2012 are not adequate to decide the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need to locate VA treatment records from 1976 to 2010 and obtain an addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing medical records and a need for a new VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any claimed conditions. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding employability and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection claims, finding no CUE in the decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed with regard to a May 1966 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.