Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but is remanding to adjudicate a claim of CUE in an August 1968 rating decision denying these conditions. The Veteran will be provided with notice of any determination and given an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records and to schedule him for a new VA audiological examination. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in all VA examinations conducted, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating. The Veteran reported no significant impact on his daily life or employment due to the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was received within one year of his discharge from active duty, and the effective date is set at the day following his separation from service on February 15, 1989.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for various disabilities and service connection for other conditions remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a major depressive disorder and PTSD was reopened, but the claims for hypertension, CAD, left ventricular dysfunction/congestive heart failure, ulcers, COPD, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, right foot calluses and corns, and left foot calluses and corns were all denied. The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence following May 2012 right foot surgery was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more likely than not related to his in-service injury. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he asserts are related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has conceded the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise in service but requires a VA audiological examination to determine if any current hearing problems are of service onset or otherwise related thereto.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or medical treatment for these conditions. The VA examinations concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to occupational noise exposure during civilian employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and the need for additional VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure and denied his claim.

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 Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right thumb disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema due to acute bronchitis and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the latter issue is pending further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current evaluation of 40% is considered adequate based on the criteria provided in DC 6100. The Veteran's symptoms, while reported, do not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined disability rating of 70 percent is maintained.