Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, and PTSD. The TDIU claim is also deferred until other increased rating claims may be resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for clarification of the examiner's opinion regarding the appellant's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is competent and credible evidence reasonably showing the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has persisted since, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient development, including obtaining VA medical center treatment records from Hampton, Virginia and San Antonio, Texas, as well as service treatment records for the Veteran's reserve duty periods. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including new examinations for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for nightmare disorder, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and service connection is granted. The Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board finds that the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that meet VA criteria for disability. The evidence is relatively balanced regarding whether these conditions are related to noise exposure in service, with some conflicting employer test results.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's left lower extremity scars and left foot hammer toes did not originate during active service or any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA, were not aggravated by a service-connected disability, and are not otherwise etiologically related to any period of active duty or ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, salivary gland condition, and left forefinger disability. The decision also granted a non-compensable rating for residuals of a rectal puncture wound and teratoma cyst excision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,A current ear infection disability was not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service, within the one year presumptive period, or for many years after service, and is unrelated to in-service noise exposure. Therefore, his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensably disabling from August 4, 2011 to June 15, 2015 and a rating higher than 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of right ear hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 7, 2011 and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be reviewed to determine if extraschedular consideration is warranted.