Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a skin condition due to new evidence submitted since the final decisions. The appeals are now on the merits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to noise during military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis were granted, but the Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder (other than the fractured third metatarsal), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headache disorder. The rating assigned remains at noncompensable throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since the initial rating period. The VA examiner found that audiometric testing results from December 2009 did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to the lack of puretone thresholds at 55 decibels or more at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) and 30 decibels or less at 1000 Hertz with 70 decibels or more at 2000 Hertz in either ear. The Veteran's functional limitations related to hearing loss were addressed by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. The appeals for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities, and sleep apnea were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury. However, the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have not been granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service occurrence or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are sufficient to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment due to his education, occupational background, and the impact on communication ability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, a complete copy of the December 18, 2014, VA record must be obtained, as well as all other outstanding records pertinent to the claim. The Veteran should also be scheduled for a VA examination by an examiner with sufficient expertise to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss disability and tinnitus present during the period of the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted his July 2011 audiological examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss was manifested by no worse than a numerical designation of Level II for each ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and lung disability.