Hearing loss Board decisions

Service connection was established for PTSD and a noncompensable rating was assigned.,A compensable rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran's fractured 2nd toe, right foot received a noncompensable rating prior to February 12, 2013 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.,A TDIU was granted effective January 29, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was not entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to a lack of entitlement under the law, as he did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to his military noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss disability to service.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus increased in severity to a 100 percent rating on August 8, 2011. The effective date for this increase is set at July 20, 2012.

The Board is remanding the case to address issues related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, including whether the schedular disability ratings adequately contemplate his functional effects and need for frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a low back disability at the October 2015 Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases of the September 2009 VA audiometric examination, and another audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar spine disorder, as well as increased rating for left thumb scar are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's shin splints, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, muscle strain, and residuals of a right calf muscle injury are not related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the other claimed conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 21, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda was denied. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 14, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as service connection for colon cancer due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim to reopen his claims for hypertension and COPD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a prostate disorder and right ear hearing loss. The claim for increased rating of left ear hearing loss is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claims for stress fracture of the left leg, shin splints of the right leg, shin splints of the left leg, and anxiety disorder were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.