Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate notice and missing VA treatment records. The RO must provide proper notice letters, obtain relevant VA medical records, clarify the status of his missing service treatment records, and schedule him for a VA audiology examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, skin cancer (due to herbicide exposure), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of skin cancer.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted with a 70 percent evaluation, but his claims for bilateral hearing loss and peptic stomach ulcer were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and asthma are etiologically related to his active duty service in Kuwait. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his possible service-connected bilateral hearing loss must also be remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did any such disease or injury contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as the newly submitted evidence does not provide a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but has now been increased to 30 percent effective November 21, 2008.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of left ear hearing loss and supraventricular tachycardia are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible or competent evidence of a connection between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at John Muir Medical Center on November 5th and 6th, 2008 were denied as the treatment was not for an emergent disability.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss as of June 10, 2010. Prior to that date, the Veteran's hearing was rated at level III in both ears.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.