Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus) do not interfere with his current employment as a fraud investigator. The Board finds that the statutory requirements for entitlement to Chapter 31 benefits have not been met because the claimant is not in need of rehabilitation.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder of the hands, residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's accounts regarding his in-service exposure to chemicals and cold injuries have been found credible, leading to the granting of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and hypertension are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically related to noise exposure during active duty and reserve service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant Reserve service records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by Level I impairment in both ears throughout the appeal period, and he is not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a September 2014 private audiogram and medical opinion. The issues on appeal include service connection for tinnitus and a higher initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to military service and grants his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his service, specifically due to a lack of evidence showing any threshold shift in hearing sensitivity at separation from service.

The Board has denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his hearing impairment does not warrant such an evaluation based on the VA audiological examination results.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the functional effects of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional opinions from an otolaryngologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion from the July 2013 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current bilateral hearing loss, which he contends was caused by noise exposure during and after military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran should be afforded a VA audiological examination and his claim will then be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, VA Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of the assignment of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.