Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to secure an adequate VA audiology evaluation and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an eye disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been aggravated by service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to the lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background throughout the period of appeal.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus and hearing loss.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his active service, and denied his claim.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to SMC at a higher level due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral upper and lower extremity symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of new audiometry examination reports and any relevant treatment records. The TDIU issue prior to August 2010 will also be reconsidered.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, previously noncompensable, has been granted and is effective June 26, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, and depression, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee scar was sustained during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability must be denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with adequate VA examinations for his hearing loss, cold injury residuals, and gout claims.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, while right ear hearing loss is not shown at any time since the claim was received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are pending.