Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability was denied. The ratings for lumbar spine DDD were not granted in excess of the assigned 10 percent prior to January 16, 2014 and 40 percent from that date. A compensable rating for residuals of right clavicle fracture and bilateral hearing loss was also denied. Prior to January 16, 2014, a TDIU rating was not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lichen planus chronicus are remanded.

The Board has ordered a remand to consider additional evidence and adjudicate the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, including on a direct basis as well as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, concluding that his current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective November 13, 2012. The Board found that the earlier received December 1, 2011 claim should be considered as the date of receipt.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptomatology since service.,For purposes of treatment only, the Veteran's claim for dental trauma to tooth number 10 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current mixed hearing loss is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent since December 15, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for a neurological disorder of the bilateral feet, secondary to tinnitus, was denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion on the relationship between his conditions and presumed exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were noted, but there was no nexus established between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD with sustained, full-remission alcohol dependence and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing medical records and arrange for a new VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, seizure disorder, or genitourinary disability. The claim for service connection for genitourinary disability is denied.