Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 8, 2011, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial increased rating for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of vision loss, left eye; hypertension; a left knee disability; allergic rhinitis; hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn prior to the Board promulgating a decision.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on being bedridden, housebound, or in need of aid and attendance of another due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the VA examinations did not adequately address his overall combined impairment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, hearing loss disability, and lung disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and left side radiculopathy caused by cervical strain are also under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his prostate cancer and urinary incontinence, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hearing loss and knee conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective May 2010, and his left ear hearing loss claim remains denied. The right ankle disability claim has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in March 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, with the effective date set at September 4, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to August 25, 2009. Effective from August 25, 2009, the rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and mental health treatment records. The VA will also request an addendum opinion on the issue of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was noted at enlistment and did not increase in severity during service. The Board finds that the current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for hepatitis C and bilateral hearing loss during the June 2010 Board hearing. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of service connection for benign essential tremors, related to exposure to toxic chemicals in service, is remanded.