Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as incurred in service. The status of his right ear hearing loss and skin rash of the hands, forearms, and groin claims remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, and there are no exceptional circumstances that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran currently suffers from a bilateral hearing loss disability, which is presumed to have been incurred during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during active service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss was due to post-service occupational noise exposure, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current symptoms and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration, and a new hearing before the Board at his local RO in St. Petersburg, Florida is scheduled.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining records from the U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office regarding an engine room accident in 2001-2002.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide the Veteran with another opportunity for a VA examination related to his left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable, with the most severe impairment measured at a Level I hearing impairment. The Board found that his service-connected right ear hearing impairment did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis, both of which are service-connected. However, the issue regarding an initial compensable disability rating for asbestosis remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. His service connection claims for idiopathic ventricular tachycardia, left and right shin splints, and bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disability and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain all outstanding records from VAMC Philadelphia related to the Veteran's treatment. The appeal will be remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his active service, with the VA audiologist opining that military noise exposure at least contributed to his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle fracture with pes planus were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis, malunion, or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that he does not have a disability for VA purposes.