Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been granted, with the effective date set at August 24, 2005.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain relevant medical records. The appeal will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected, with a rating of 100% effective from the date of claim. PTSD is also granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and denied his claim. For bilateral hearing loss, the case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and issue a statement of the case regarding his PTSD claim and tinnitus rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic headaches, right knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and lumbar disc disease with left radiculopathy are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a non-compensable rating for his eczema prior to February 25, 2013, and a compensable rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability. The claim of service connection for depressive disorder remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. However, both issues of service connection (hypertension and bilateral hearing loss) need further development as they require additional medical examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and was unrelated to noise exposure in service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the disabilities listed in his claims, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since the claim was received in March 2008. The most recent VA examination did not show any improvement in his hearing acuity, and thus he does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA disability benefits in the amount of $8,742.07 due to fault on his part and lack of undue hardship.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be as likely the result of noise exposure during her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim. The RO also denied reopening of a separate claim seeking service connection for otitis externa and tinnitus.