Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, PTSD, and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The Court ordered that the claim of service connection for migraine headaches be remanded to obtain a medical nexus opinion prior to rendering a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for another VA examination to clarify the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its impact on his occupational functioning and daily activities. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective March 27, 2008. His bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a sinus disability attributable to military service and his hearing loss is manifested by level I hearing in the right ear and level II hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is due to noise exposure during military service. The case is being remanded as there are missing records and potential outstanding VA medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss or the residuals of a bilateral lower extremity cold injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hearing loss, actinic keratoses, superficial basal cell carcinoma, detached retina, and cataracts. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in November 1973, and the Board has reopened it with new evidence. However, his current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to his period of active duty. The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination and VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. However, he received a non-compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from December 6, 2006 to March 4, 2009 and an increased evaluation of 10 percent effective March 5, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his hearing loss disability, including the interpretation and evaluation of recent audiograms. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it is considered to be a result of noise exposure during his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal on all issues.

The Veteran's left ear high frequency hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the likely etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.