Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but he is not entitled to a compensable rating prior to March 5, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner should determine if his current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions and to attempt to obtain relevant treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disorder and an initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating prior to August 29, 2012, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a videoconference hearing at El Paso, Texas. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) has been granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and depression was established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, but service connection cannot be granted as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for tinnitus remains denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were received on June 21, 2010. The effective date cannot be earlier than this date as the criteria do not meet the conditions for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right ear hearing loss, which he asserts is due to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran has a current hearing loss disability for his right ear under VA regulations.

The Board finds that the issues of whether severance of service connection for PTSD was proper, and entitlement to service connection for various disabilities are currently before it as they are inextricably intertwined with the appellate issues of the effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD and the initial rating assigned for PTSD. The Veteran's period of honorable active service has already been finally adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be further developed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and a potential worsening in hearing loss since the last evaluation. The Veteran needs another VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on February 24, 2012 are not eligible for reimbursement by VA because the services were not authorized and there was no emergency situation warranting non-VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete record of treatment from the VA facility in Miami and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disorder, right ear hearing loss, and left ankle disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as it was incurred in service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and is granted. The issue of ischemic heart disease/coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure remains pending.