Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board denied reopening of previous final decisions regarding service connection for a back disorder and sinusitis, as well as service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were all found to lack new and material evidence.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from smoke inhalation due to a fire, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that was not initially considered by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her loss of use of one lower extremity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiologist examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied, as the current disability level does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent. The issue of service connection for headaches is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with a November 2010 Memorandum Decision from the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which vacated the previous denial and requires that service connection be granted for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss with organic ear condition. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and examination of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board is requesting additional information and evidence to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss disability was permanently made worse during periods of active duty for training. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records from a previous VA audiological evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. However, on de novo review, the claims are denied as there is no probative evidence showing a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss or tinnitus and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that no claim was received prior to January 31, 2006.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the appellant's failure to appear for a requested Travel Board hearing. The case is now pending and will be scheduled for another hearing.