Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for increased rating for back disability was not addressed as it is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including exposure to loud sounds therein. The Veteran did not have a hearing disability at service entry or separation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to be worse than Level I in either ear from March 21, 2005, to October 20, 2011. As a result, he is not entitled to a compensable rating for this period.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional development and an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and her service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during military service. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding service connection for coronary artery disease and reopening claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of service connection claims, including a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PTSD that is related to his period of active military service. The VA examiners provided opinions concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not due to noise exposure during service, and there is no evidence linking PTSD to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from January 24, 2011 to December 8, 2011. The rating is denied for the periods prior and after these dates.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the August 2005 rating decision. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if service connection should be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and left ear sensorineural hearing loss, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after his military service. The claim for tinnitus was granted as it is presumed to have been incurred due to combat exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including obtaining relevant employment records and clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a more contemporaneous examination of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, hypertension, or an acquired psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and severity of his right lower leg puncture wound residuals. Additionally, an addendum opinion from the April 2010 VA audiologist or another qualified clinician will be requested to address whether his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease are granted. The TDIU rating is also granted, with a combined disability rating of 80%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service treatment records from his ARNG service. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his right ear hearing loss and provide an opinion on whether his left ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and completing the VA Form 21-8940. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.