Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his noise exposure during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the worst level of hearing acuity being level II in both ears.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC benefits based on housebound criteria is denied because the earliest possible effective date is May 1, 2014.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are missing and needs to be obtained. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left hand injury, low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of cold injuries to his hands, need to be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event, including exposure to noise trauma. The Veteran's claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 7, 2009. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from this date.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by a brace he uses for his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has granted payment of a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteopenia, cervical spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, left upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating for service-connected lumbar contusion, myositis, and lumbar spondylosis in excess of 20 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Guillain-Barre Syndrome need further examination and opinion to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows continuous symptoms since service and noise exposure during service.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for right hand injury due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The issues of increase rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted, but with a 30% initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for painful joints, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability that began during or was related to active service.,Service records showed no complaints of joint pain or hearing issues. The Veteran reported having back pain but no abnormalities were found in her STRs.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the schedular rating criteria adequately described his disability picture and did not meet the requirements for an extraschedular rating due to marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for residuals of left eye injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for low back disability, heart disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, traumatic brain injury, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression), and TDIU prior to October 11, 2011 were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.