Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability due to secondary service connection issues. The skin condition, xerosis, is not related to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, but his claim for pneumoconiosis with pleural airthickening cannot be granted as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic lung disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of an earlier VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and for obtaining any missing private treatment records related to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current disability level does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on August 7 and August 11, 2008 was denied as the services were not rendered in an emergency situation and VA facilities were available.

The Board has remanded the case due to internal inconsistencies in the February 2013 VA examination report, and a new VA audiology examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal will be certified back to the Board only if the appeal is perfected by filing a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including seeking clarification from the Veteran's private audiologist regarding the testing methods used and results obtained during audiometric examinations, scheduling a hearing before the Board if requested by the Veteran, and clarifying whether the Veteran still desires to appear at a hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of zero percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for skin cancer, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied due to his failure, without good cause, to report for VA examinations. The service connection claims for memory loss, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, and asthma are also denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating for bilateral hearing loss with otitis media was granted, effective January 18, 2013. The current rating is 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by nightmares, sleep disturbances, irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, anger, and anxiety. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The left wrist condition is denied as there is no established link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher. His bilateral hearing loss was not incurred during service, but hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, and thus these claims are granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for hearing loss based on aggravation and tinnitus. The Veteran's contentions are considered cumulative or redundant, and do not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.