Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and a neck disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent from November 21, 2003, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his right knee strain. The other issues related to the Veteran's conditions have also been resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and service-connected right hand disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are insufficient findings regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, urinary incontinence associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertensive heart disease, patellar subluxation of both knees, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for service-connected hearing loss from September 3, 2013. The Veteran's tinnitus and Meniere's disease were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection was also denied for the skin condition.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 50 percent to zero percent effective August 1, 2012. The reduction is based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and right knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The effective date is not specified as it was a direct grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, but the claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling new VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and respiratory conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an eye disorder due to radiation exposure, and skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) but denied them on their merits. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are considered, along with his in-service noise exposures and post-service symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again due to incomplete information.

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

The Board has remanded this case for further action, including scheduling a travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), and denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a low back condition. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.