Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audio examination to determine if his current or previously diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and whether it is aggravated by any service-connected disorder, including tinnitus. The examiner must also consider if there is any other basis for granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected malaria. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability are related to in-service noise exposure, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, dental disorder, hypertension, low back disability, pes planus, and left eye disorder. The shin splints were resolved prior to filing of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various ear disorders, including bilateral ear disorder, left ear tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The examination reports must consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appellate period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's report of its onset during service is credible. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a right-ear hearing loss disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent from November 14, 2002 to March 17, 2009. The current rating of 10 percent is deemed appropriate based on the audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation file and Social Security Administration records. The issue of two separate compensable ratings for bilateral radiculopathy from the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has also been raised and must be addressed first.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disability of both ears, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims. The claim for left ear hearing loss disability is reopened but denied on the merits.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to his period of active military service. The claim pertaining to left ear hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for polyps in the colon, nose and throat were denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his service treatment records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent initial rating. The other issues have not been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's hearing loss in both ears and to determine if his right ear hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with consideration of continuity of symptomatology. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested at worst by Level I hearing acuity in both ears. Despite the Veteran's complaints of difficulties with hearing, especially in social situations, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records, clarify the Veteran's in-service incident and conduct an appropriate VA examination.