Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in rating decisions for bilateral hearing loss and individual unemployability due to a lack of appellate jurisdiction by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is about the appropriate disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and whether an earlier effective date should be granted for the 30 percent disability rating.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected chronic inflammation of the chest (diagnosed as pulmonary fibrosis) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability that meets the VA definition of hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his heart condition and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and etiology opinion.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his initial 10 percent rating for tinnitus are denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher schedular disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus is denied, as are the claims for initial compensable evaluations for diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his hearing loss and skin disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, reduction of evaluations for right knee sprain, left knee sprain, and left ankle sprain have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and the reductions in evaluation were found to be improper.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination and records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of SSA records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at a compensable level of 10%.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to address the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. For tinnitus, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms or nexus.

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

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (flat warts), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also granted.