Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, mononucleosis, or residuals of a head injury due to service. Chest pain was not shown as a disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have first manifested during active military service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a 20% disability rating for his condition. However, the appeal seeks higher ratings or an earlier effective date, which are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to October 29, 2013. From October 29, 2013, forward, the rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 10 percent.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are service-connected, as they were incurred during his active duty. However, the bilateral heel condition and knee condition do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as these conditions are found to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information on where the Veteran received treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus after service. The claims will be readjudicated based on all additional evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal as moot because the issues were resolved in a previous decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his postservice hearing loss. The preponderance of the evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and alcohol dependence secondary to PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter and has not been shown to be otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which he can receive VA compensation, as his hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. For rhinitis, there was no evidence of greater than 50 percent obstruction or nasal polyps, which are required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and varicose veins have been granted. The Veteran is also awarded a TDIU beginning from January 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, and no final decision has been issued. The appellant is not entitled to attorney fees based on past-due benefits resulting from a March 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claim, including obtaining relevant National Guard and Reserve service records. An addendum opinion will be requested from the VA examiner who conducted his April 2011 audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, coronary artery disease, and PTSD, as well as the TDIU claim, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

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