Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his psychiatric conditions, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities (TDIU) will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim remains in denial.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and considering the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently suffer from hearing loss in either ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,After a thorough review of the evidence, including the Veteran's STRs and post-service medical records, the examiner diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. However, the objective audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a BVA hearing. The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and whether new evidence supports reopening of his left wrist condition claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a ruptured eardrum and increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and provide an etiological opinion as to any claimed residuals of a ruptured eardrum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The AOJ should also secure any outstanding, relevant VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and for an addendum opinion from the examiner who performed his July 2010 VA examination. The examiner must address the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure, as well as his statements regarding post-service hunting activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not otherwise related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a skin condition, variously diagnosed as squamous and basal cell carcinoma, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left eye pterygium was diagnosed during service and is considered to be related to his active duty service. However, the right eye pterygium was not diagnosed until years after service.,There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current complaints do not meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The VA determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's basal cell carcinoma was not due to herbicide exposure and did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation.,There is no evidence showing hypertension in service, nor within the first post-service year. The Board concluded there was no direct service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his symptoms of hearing loss were continuous since service and consistent with noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his hearing loss and fungal infection, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's hearing manifested by no more than Level II hearing acuity bilaterally with minimum speech recognition scores of 88 percent in the right ear and 92 percent in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not establish a link between his current hearing disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing service medical records and a need for further development, including an audiometric examination.