Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (asbestosis), and cervical spine disabilities. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded to the RO for a DRO hearing and additional development. The issues include service connection for various conditions, as well as rating claims for knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that these conditions are related to military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the appeal is now pending before the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected as they originated during his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have arisen in service and continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to noise exposure during active duty. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 7, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is considered 'unknown' as the appeal does not specify this issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer (claimed as bleeding ulcers) and loss of balance from Meniere's syndrome are both granted. However, his claim for a left knee disability is not applicable as it was not raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 10 percent, and his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of left ear hearing loss and denied his claim. For right ear hearing loss, the Board determined there is no evidence showing it meets VA's threshold requirements for a disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right index finger fracture was granted with a 10% rating effective January 4, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was not granted, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as the evidence supports that it originated during his active service. The appeal for bilateral hearing loss disability was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 9, 2014 and did not meet criteria for a higher rating from that date forward.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service are sufficient to establish current disability. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The AOJ is now tasked with addressing the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection for a hip disorder and PTSD, as well as higher ratings for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiogram results from an August 2014 VA audiology evaluation. The claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims due to the submission of new evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.