Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disability during his active duty service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent evidence linking any current low back disability to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of left ear surgery was denied due to a lack of timely filing of the Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was found to be at levels not warranting a compensable rating prior to May 10, 2010; between May 10, 2010, and August 2, 2013, the disability warranted a 10 percent rating; from August 2, 2013, the disability warranted no more than a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a stab wound to the liver, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Veteran's fractured right foot first metatarsal is currently rated as a noncompensable disability due to pain and soreness. The Board has granted a 10% rating for this condition.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, left knee osteoarthritis, or respiratory/pulmonary disability that can be linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for a visual disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection, on the merits, for those disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found no evidence of an increase in disability during service for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for increased ratings of hypertension and initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remain denied as there is no established service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service, including noise exposure during parachute jumps. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. Regarding low back disability, the Veteran's low back disability is not currently diagnosed and there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability recognized by VA.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not originate in service and is not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any physical residuals of a perforated right ear drum, and his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease are related to the condition. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, as evidenced by his exposure to loud noises during his time in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus, is currently evaluated at 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a member of the Board at his local RO.