Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess its current severity. Additionally, all outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing updated VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss disability, and a pulmonary disorder. The decision found that there was no current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for a proper opinion on the nature of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and allergies have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. However, the Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on credible testimony indicating it began during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and service-connected bilateral tinea pedis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the existing opinions do not adequately address the Veteran's contentions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military noise exposure, as there was no in-service diagnosis or report of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his original claim was denied in 1977 and he did not timely appeal it. The most recent claim to reopen was filed on December 14, 2011.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to have had its onset during service due to combat-related noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.