Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions based on an inaccurate factual predicate regarding noise exposure and asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma/asbestosis, skin cancer, foot skin disorders, left knee arthritis, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of other joints (excluding the left elbow). The reasons provided are that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and feet, a left elbow disability, residuals of a broken right wrist, a left foot fallen arch, a blind right eye, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression, all for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer with GERD due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 15, 2014. This is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the case is being remanded due to a need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not granted any effective date earlier than August 22, 2013.

The Veteran's special separation benefits were properly recouped from his VA disability compensation, as the law requires. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after a new or amended VA examination is conducted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to assess the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not establish that his current hearing loss was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable prior to February 14, 2015 and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The Board found no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent tinnitus was granted. The decision on the hearing loss issue is pending as it has been remanded.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to September 19, 2014.