Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, hypertension, and toenail fungus were denied in August 2009. New evidence received since then has reopened the claims for hearing loss and toenail fungus but not hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred during his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage of the right knee prior to November 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is granted as incurred in service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's hearing loss disability evaluation tables.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a left ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and it is causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The right ear hearing loss disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his psychiatric disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, his headache disability did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and he did not have PTSD or bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to October 18, 2011. From October 18, 2011 to August 4, 2015, the rating was increased to 40 percent. After that date, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression have been granted. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by his active service, as were his preexisting depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and secondary service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral region. The heart disability and bilateral hearing loss disability claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a back disability in February 2014 but his appeal on this issue has not been certified for current review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues with notification and examination, including a failure to report for an audiological examination and a change in address. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for grand mal epilepsy and denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Board found no current right ear hearing loss disability and denied service connection for the Veteran's claims of right ear hearing loss, skin disorder, right hand arthritis, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it meets the criteria for service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's undiagnosed depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is now rated at 50 percent since September 24, 2014.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from August 19, 2012 to August 21, 2012 are not eligible for reimbursement under VA regulations because the services were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Additionally, VA facilities were feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand was reasonable.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial rating for depressive disorder NOS effective May 14, 2010.