Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of July 27, 2009 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for seizures disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remands and insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records.,No effective date is provided as the appeal involves ongoing disability evaluations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent. The restoration is based on evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions, while the denial of a higher rating is due to the lack of such improvement.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service. The appellant submitted a lay statement asserting that the Veteran had difficulty hearing shortly after their marriage, which was soon after his separation from service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Meniere's disease, increased ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus, and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have onset in service and is not etiologically related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for character of discharge, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hearing loss disability due to potential issues with the appellant's discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new evaluation is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. The Veteran's right and left knee limitation of extension are now rated at 30 percent each.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis related to service.,Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence is in approximate balance, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's hearing loss has not improved and continues to be manifested by significant difficulty understanding others, especially in background noise. The reduction from a 30% rating to a 10% rating was improper as the evidence did not reflect an actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a more definitive opinion considering medical literature submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in January 2009, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing a disability. The Veteran's claim was reopened for tinnitus but not for hearing loss.,For paraplegia, the Board found no evidence of its relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain relevant records from SSA and conduct VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the causes of the Veteran's COPD, hepatitis C virus, and skin rash. The issues related to tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a skin rash are denied as they did not manifest within one year of service separation or were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable and new medical opinions are needed to address his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for these purposes.