Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, including autopsy results and police reports. The appellant must provide additional evidence for a determination on her claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury is rated at 70 percent, effective August 4, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed cardiac disability, left ear hearing loss, or disabilities manifested by headaches, arthralgias and body joint popping. The examiner found no medical nexus between these conditions and his inservice complaints.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability to include degenerative disc disease due to new evidence and development being required.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal for a higher initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disability, and retinal lesion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering an extraschedular rating due to functional limitations related to hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since October 5, 2001. The VA audiologist found that the Veteran's hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss and hiatal hernia disability are dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw these issues.,The Veteran is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in, or caused by, his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometric data from a private examination and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service, and he is granted a compensable initial rating for his right elbow degenerative arthritis, fracture with scar and lateral epicondylitis. His claim for hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, gastroparesis, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at 90 percent combined. The Board finds that these conditions prevent the Veteran from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left eye conjunctival cyst was incurred in service and has persisted since then, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, clarifying disability benefits status, scheduling a VA examination, and providing an addendum to the April 2011 VA audio examination.