Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as any relevant VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and head disability are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional information regarding his employment as a consultant to determine if it qualifies as marginal employment, which could affect the determination of TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's combat service, as well as any relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus and his active service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and the evidence fails to link this condition to service.

The Board has granted the service connection claim for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The issue of an increased rating for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder was granted, and an initial disability rating of 70 percent was assigned.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than level II in either ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating. The Board finds that the current ratings are adequate and does not warrant an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an initial compensable rating as his audiometric testing results do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's death on November 22, 2013 was due to atherosclerotic heart disease with hypertension. The appellant did not seek prior authorization from VA for the non-transport emergency services provided at his home. Therefore, reimbursement is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of exceptional factors such as frequent hospitalization or marked interference with employment.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to hazardous noise exposure during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the credibility of his lay statements regarding the onset of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the reliability of the whisper voice test conducted during service. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her hearing loss, including whether it is related to service. The case will be readjudicated after any necessary development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to ensure receipt of a Supplemental Statement of the Case and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an earlier effective date for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction.