Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ankle, low back, upper back (neck), TBI residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that neither is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to locate and review a report from the American Tinnitus Association.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. The appeal of the right ankle disability and right eye disorder claims is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition (claimed as tuberculosis).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements indicating he has had ringing in his ears since service are at least in equipoise with the VA medical opinions. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty or reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 40 percent prior to September 30, 2011; 50 percent effective September 30, 2011; and 70 percent effective February 20, 2013. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and probable etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in the February 2011 VA examination. The October 2010 examination report is missing from the file, which may affect the accuracy of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right deviated septum, left inguinal hernia, residuals of low back injury, and heart disorder. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects his symptoms and did not warrant an extraschedular rating.