Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran is granted additional special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet from July 22, 2008 to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The RO granted service connection and assigned an initial noncompensable evaluation effective January 26, 2010, which was later increased to 10 percent effective November 23, 2011. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and tinnitus, but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for knee and left ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The underlying issues are addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the hearing loss or a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, are not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from July 9, 2010 to October 31, 2012. Prior to this period and after October 31, 2012, the disability remained noncompensable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current diagnosis is related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not arise during service or is related to his period of active military service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss began in service and is linked to his military duties.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as he is deceased.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability involving dizziness and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not caused by or related to service. Sensorineural hearing loss was not shown within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10% evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The heart disability to include coronary artery disease, seizure disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder) are not service connected.