Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were denied by the Board, with the exception of a grant of a 10% rating from November 22, 2004 through January 8, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The issues on appeal include service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and basal cell carcinoma, as well as initial rating claims for PTSD, hemorrhoids, lumbar spine degenerative disk disease, inguinal hernia residuals, and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, as evidenced by in-service noise exposure. The skin disability is not currently diagnosed, but may be due to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is also not currently diagnosed, though it is suggested based on the Veteran's reported experiences.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of records, including those from VA treatment providers. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being considered, as well as his TDIU claim.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from November 2, 2012. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 17, 2012 was denied. His subsequent claim for a higher rating since that date is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically addressing his reported noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and a need for new evaluations of heart disease and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The VA examination results showed pure tone thresholds of 45 dB in the right ear and 49 dB in the left ear, resulting in a numeric value of I under Table VI. As this falls within the noncompensable (0 percent) rating range, the claim for an initial compensable evaluation was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds that there has been continuity of symptomatology since service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The VA examiner stated that the Veteran's hearing remained within normal limits, bilaterally, based on audiometric testing in October 2015. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shin splints prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.