Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in the right ear and Level IV hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to evaluate his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not present during his period of active duty and the VA examinations did not show sufficient hearing impairment to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left ear hearing loss and PTSD have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and inner ear disability claims are being remanded for further action due to the failure to reschedule her Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish a current disability in these areas as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination. The issues of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and right ear hearing loss are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain her complete treatment records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim that his substantive appeal was timely filed, as it was received more than 60 days after the date of actual receipt of the SOC and more than one year after the notification of the September 2008 rating decision he had intended to appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The examiner needs to provide a clear and supported rationale for their conclusion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the VA examinations and Social Security Administration records indicate he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or are otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active duty. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable under the rating schedule, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss improved, warranting a reduction from an 80% to a 20% disability rating effective July 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso, Michigan on March 19, 2013 was denied as VA facilities were feasibly available to provide the care that was provided.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological evaluation. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.