Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed headache disorder and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service. The claim for residuals of a left eye injury is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran was rendered unemployable as of May 21, 2013, solely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities and this has continued unabated since that point in time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at 80 percent, preventing him from receiving a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he is not shown to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for tinnitus. The claim for basal cell carcinomas of the nose and forehead was reopened but continued to be denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection as secondary to his active duty service, but the diabetes and hearing loss claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, residuals of a stroke, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and left knee disorder are all service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination to address service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is due to combat noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which was first noted in service and has continued since then, is found to be related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As such, the claim for accrued benefits purposes is granted.