Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and lower extremity conditions, cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board denied referral for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that the disability is adequately described by the schedular criteria and does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus (DM) did not cause or aggravate his bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.,The Veteran's mild nuclear sclerotic cataracts are not related to his DM.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including consideration of his in-service acoustic trauma. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing in the left ear, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support an award of a compensable initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing notice of secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period between May 5, 2003 to August 26, 2004. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss in the right ear as per VA standards, and therefore service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted and rated at 70 percent since June 3, 2013. The claim for higher rating is denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, effective January 2, 2011. The appellant is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate prior to May [REDACTED], 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the claims for a higher initial rating for hearing loss and an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, with the reasoning that these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss renders him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request and the need to ensure full compliance with due process requirements.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, as the evidence demonstrates an increase in disability during service. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is now inextricably intertwined with this decision and will be addressed by the AOJ.