Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.,Multiple issues regarding hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility, inability to perform daily activities independently, and the hazards inherent in his environment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examinations, incomplete evidence, and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is required to provide medical records and undergo new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, but the issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending. The decision also grants new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for chronic headaches, colitis, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and leg disorders due to new evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on new and material evidence is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension (HTN) based on new and material evidence is granted.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 28, 2013, for grant of service connection for left lower extremity (LLE) peripheral neuropathy is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than June 28, 2013, for grant of service connection for right lower extremity (RLE) peripheral neuropathy is denied.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the claim for cause of death is denied. The burial benefits were also denied as they did not exceed $300.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 100% and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is denied. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding the Veteran's tuberculosis.

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

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his active service and did not manifest within a year of separation.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previous claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection and all rating claims, including TDIU, for the claimed conditions. The Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service. His acquired mental disorder, left knee disorder, heart disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right middle finger disorder are also not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service connected.,Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and sleep apnea. The claim for increased rating for history of hyperuricemia with recurrent gouty arthritis is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 1, 2012. The VA failed to demonstrate actual improvement in the Veteran’s ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the reduction from 50 to 20 percent was improper due to a lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from September 27, 2011 until January 9, 2012. From January 9, 2012, the Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.