Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot condition have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim of service connection for tinnitus has not been met.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from August 7, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure during combat operations in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the December 2013 decision, including incomplete VA examination reports and insufficient rationale for findings. The Veteran is to be provided additional VA examinations concerning his claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to errors in previous decisions and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) being 55 decibels or more in one ear. The Veteran's hearing loss does not exceed the levels contemplated for a noncompensable schedular rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. The rating for his bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, coccidioides, and headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that meets the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hand disorder have all been denied. Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus with initial ratings of 20%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the validity of the VA examination and the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for residuals of a right forearm shrapnel wound and bilateral knee injury have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD and his other service-connected disabilities are rated appropriately. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of GSW of the right side is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for reconsideration in light of a recent grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.