Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board granted a 30% rating for the Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, but did not address or grant entitlement to TDIU. The Court found that TDIU was raised by the Veteran and evidence in 1987.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his death, and thus no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right hearing loss and tinnitus. He also claims hypertension and diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran seeks service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy as secondary to prostate cancer. He also seeks a higher rating for prostate cancer, including urinary incontinence and the need for absorbent materials.,Service connection is granted for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's prostate cancer warrants a 40 percent disability rating since September 1, 2008.,The Veteran seeks an increased rating for PTSD. He also seeks TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure during active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, hiatal hernia, TMJ disability, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The appeals were dismissed as there was no evidence to support higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin condition (secondary to herbicide exposure) due to inadequate development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if the current hearing loss could be related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's failure, without good cause, to report for a VA compensation examination needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable has resulted in the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiology examination and retrieval of relevant medical records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board has found that the appellant's tinnitus is related to active duty service and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss will be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has found service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted, with the Veteran receiving a 50% rating effective July 31, 2007.,The skin disability claim is pending further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and is granting it on the merits. The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to noise during his military service, but there is no competent medical opinion linking his current hearing loss directly to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with continuity of symptomatology since service. The preponderance of evidence supports these findings.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiologist examination.

The Board has determined that a bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred during active duty due to noise exposure, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection to the RO/AMC for additional development due to incomplete records and unavailability of certain medical records.