Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to address the etiology of his hearing loss, stomach disability, cervical spine disability, and Raynaud's Phenomena.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD was granted with an effective date of March 24, 2006.,His hearing loss disability is rated as compensable.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, residuals of frostbite/chemical burn, and right foot/ankle condition.

The Board is remanding the case due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records. The claims for reopening a service connection claim for a lower lip scar and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an audiological examination and a back disability examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records, including from private providers and VA facilities. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied hookworm/parasitic disease and diabetes mellitus type II issues.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a VA-defined disability. The claim of an initial evaluation for PTSD from February 11, 2009, is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment during the period from July 24, 2006 to April 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for degenerative joint disease with traumatic characteristics, lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence received since the August 1994 denial includes relevant official service department records not previously considered.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, with no presumption or other special consideration applied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for syndactyly of the 2nd and 3rd toes bilaterally is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection due to being a congenital defect.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, with significant exposure to high intensity noise levels throughout his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a 10 percent disability rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied. The earliest possible effective date is July 25, 2008, the date of his claim.