Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was found to have been manifested by no worse than Level I hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing on the left prior to January 2013. Beginning in January 2013, his disability picture more nearly approximated that of Level V hearing in each ear.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 8, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not show a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for the period from August 23, 2011 through December 25, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left wrist disability was granted. For bilateral hearing loss, a noncompensable evaluation prior to May 22, 2014 and a 30% evaluation thereafter is granted. For the left wrist disability, a 30% evaluation is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his tour in Vietnam were conducted under compelling circumstances, and thus did not constitute willful and persistent misconduct. As a result, the character of the appellant's active duty service does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, which is considered a direct service connection as no presumption or secondary condition was established. The other conditions are still under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected biliary cancer, which caused his death in November 2008, is found to be related to his military service due to exposure to liver flukes during his time in Vietnam and Korea. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred during service, as supported by the conceded noise exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been evaluated as not compensable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately account for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but denied service connection as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claim was not received until April 17, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for any of his claimed conditions, including back disability, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral leg cramps, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to leave the house, perform activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, and dressing, and manage his environment safely.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma has been dismissed. The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, finding that the onset of this condition occurred during service.