Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to consider the merits of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results and internal inconsistency of a VA examiner's statements regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 6, 2013, were denied. The Board found no causal or etiologic relationship between the claimed conditions and service. For bilateral hearing loss, from November 6, 2013, the Veteran's condition was not shown to warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 11, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical records and an inadequate November 2014 VA examination. The Veteran needs further audiometric testing, a comprehensive VA examination, and consideration of all available evidence.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant and his representative have withdrawn it.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from February 18, 2011 to September 15, 2013.

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's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, a right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and a psychiatric disability remain pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability. However, both claims have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, service connection for a back disorder, service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, and service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his acoustic trauma sustained during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned for further action.

The appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the current right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, and thus grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiology examination and an extra-schedular determination by the Director of Compensation Service.