Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral hand disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Raynaud's syndrome of the toes. Specifically, a VA examination is required to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his current level of impairment does not warrant such an evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the effective date set at December 15, 2010. Prior to May 15, 2012, he was rated at 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss. Since then, no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing disability.

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

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of whether his Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the July 2011 rating decision was timely filed has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are added.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a compensable level of hearing loss, and therefore, his claim for an initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for additional evidence regarding noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) on the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran must file a timely substantive appeal to continue his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his time in combat during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding its onset during active duty are credible and supported by medical evidence. The remaining claims of service connection for knee disabilities and hearing loss will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as for further development of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

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