Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify the factual history of noise exposure during service, and provide an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendonitis is proximately related to medication taken for service-connected prostate cancer and CAD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service blast injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral blindness and hearing loss are not related to his military service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA contract audiologist's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and further medical review is needed to resolve these claims on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered on the Veteran's claims, including for an initial rating evaluation for PTSD and service connection for right ear hearing loss. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than Level II hearing impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 70 percent during the period on appeal, and thus the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his in-service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 30, 2016, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 30, 2016, are both denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II or Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Cripple Creek Rehabilitation Center from April 18, 2013 to April 25, 2013 and from April 29, 2013 to May 11, 2013 are now covered by VA as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.