Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing, and the appeal is being returned to the AOJ for scheduling such a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disability and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inextricably intertwined issues, including a claim of entitlement to service connection for Meniere's disease. The claims are being referred back to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted, and he is currently service-connected with a noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea have been reopened due to new evidence. However, both claims remain denied as there is no established link between the conditions and either active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to service connection for positional vertigo (dizziness) secondary to bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to service connection for headaches secondary to bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for skin condition to include as due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to perform his activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 20, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment as of October 20, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip disability, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new audiological examination to assess his current level of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for a higher initial rating for prostate cancer, finding that his current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for neck and knee disabilities, as well as the request for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids, are pending.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at least a 30 percent prior to November 17, 2012 and in excess of 50 percent on and after that date. The TDIU issue is also addressed.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the April 2009 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, it did not warrant reopening the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing and other necessary actions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully satisfy VA's duty to assist the Veteran with evidence supporting his claims for service connection for a jaw disability and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to active military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current disability was less likely as not related to the Veteran's period of military service.