Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for status post bursectomy, right hip and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for plantar fasciitis of the feet, shin splints, and dry eye syndrome are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service exposure to noise trauma. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including considering the timing of their onset and any in-service noise exposure. The Veteran will be provided with an examination to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss were not incurred in or related to service. The Veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, chronic renal failure, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability and its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right hand disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during the pendency of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to November 17, 2012. However, a 40 percent rating was granted effective from November 17, 2012.

Service connection for bilateral eye retinal detachment with retinal puckering status post laser repair was granted, and a compensable rating of 10% was assigned from November 13, 2006 to February 12, 2012. The Veteran is seeking an even higher initial rating.

For the period of the appeal, the criteria for the assignment of an initial rating of 50 percent for service-connected lumbosacral spine fusion with internal fixation disability have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and was not linked to service. The other conditions were also not established by the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be causally related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg neuritis, and bilateral hip arthritis claims are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as his hearing was normal at service separation and there is no evidence of a nexus between current conditions and military noise exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most severe impairment being Level I in both ears. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling that he needs regular aid and attendance to dress, feed himself, and protect him from hazards in his daily environment. The Board finds the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance.