Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at The Villages Regional Hospital from May 3, 2013 to May 6, 2013. The Board is unable to determine if appropriate VA facilities were available and whether there was a medical emergency that would have required immediate attention. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in active duty service and is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, no referral for extra-schedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, and he has been granted a 50 percent rating for his somatization disorder. However, the claim for a higher rating than 50 percent remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, as evidenced by noise exposure during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No decisions were made on the merits of any claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, throat cancer due to smoking, gout involving the left great toe and ankles, a bilateral ankle disability other than gout, calcaneal bone spur of the right foot, and a left foot disability were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically the noise exposure during basic training. As a result, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and an addendum opinion. The Veteran asserts that his bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a compensable rating, citing difficulties in hearing in groups and related equilibrium problems.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic otitis media, adult fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, residuals of a left wrist injury, and asthma. The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's request for a hearing on his appeal has been noted, and the case is being returned to the RO to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran will be notified of the date and time of the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not aggravated by his active service, and is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disabilities, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability or COPD. The examiner opined that the Veteran's COPD is less likely caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support his contention that he is permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.