Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inconsistencies in previous VA examinations and the need for a new examination to determine the etiology of his hearing disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by puretone thresholds, averaged over the frequencies of 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz (Hz), no greater than 51 decibels (dB) for the right ear and 51 dB for the left ear, and speech recognition scores no lower than 92 percent for the right ear and 72 percent for the left ear. The criteria for a compensable initial disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a back disability are being remanded due to confusion regarding his representation, the passage of time since prior VA examinations, and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional medical inquiry is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the January 2011 VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right upper extremity disability, necessitate regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, the claim for SMC on the basis of need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the prior remand instructions and to obtain a comprehensive medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise such that a finding of tinnitus related to service may be conceded, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that throughout the appeal period, his right ear had at worst Level II hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive and anxiety disorders, was reopened on June 22, 2009, and granted effective that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during his active duty service, even by natural progression. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records. The issues include service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The RO reduced the disability rating for prostate cancer from 100 percent to 40 percent, effective December 1, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a residual shrapnel wound to the scalp with scar and substernal chest and right upper thigh scars.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and consideration of whether her tinnitus and right ear hearing loss may have aggravated her left ear hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board previously granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome, which includes symptoms of hearing impairment and attacks of vertigo occurring more than once weekly.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.