Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a chronicity of hearing loss in service or a continuity of hearing loss after service, nor is there any evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing due to his failure to appear at the previously scheduled hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and a bilateral hip disability are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected and has been denied.,Prior to November 22, 2013, the Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine was rated as 10 percent disabling and remains denied.,Effective from November 22, 2013, the Veteran's back strain with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine has been granted a 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's follicular eczema with acne is not service-connected and has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include as secondary to service connected disability. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to January 10, 2011. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for his hearing loss from January 10, 2011 to March 27, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left leg disability, claimed as bone weakness and inability to heal. The evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and was not caused by in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection, and further evaluation does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, and umbilical hernia, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. He will also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions in connection with his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as further consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and there is no evidence linking his tinnitus or left ankle injury to service. The Veteran's claims were denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it has been referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, but the assigned ratings are at their maximum levels. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine sprain, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service loud noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found the appellant's assertions of a left knee injury in service not credible and denied his claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as they require further examination to determine their etiology.