Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining pure tone threshold results from a previous VA audiological evaluation and scheduling him for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the feet, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and flat feet were denied. The claim for an increased rating for athlete's foot was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a social and industrial survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss effective from June 4, 2010.,He was also awarded additional compensation for a dependent spouse effective from June 2, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as left ear hearing loss. The evidence submitted since the July 2008 rating decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to the lack of a statement of the case (SOC) addressing these issues. The Veteran must be provided with an SOC so that he can file a substantive appeal if he wishes to continue his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's eosinophilia, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent and his low back strain with thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease is not higher than a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, combined for purposes of TDIU eligibility, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to September 21, 2005. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The criteria for establishing service connection have been met, with both conditions found to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and therefore DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability and hearing loss.

The Board finds that the service-connected residuals of a right lower leg shrapnel wound contributed to the Veteran's death due to a fall and traumatic brain injury, which was found as an underlying cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for skin disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded due to incomplete information from the Veteran regarding treatment providers.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, specifically the noise exposure during active duty and an in-service injury. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the law, as written by Congress and implemented by VA regulation, has been correctly applied in this case. The recoupment of the overpayment of VA compensation in the amount of severance pay received ($32,551.20) by withholding in monthly allotments payments of disability compensation benefits is required by law.