Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective February 16, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no legal merit existed to support such a claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a worsening of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and his claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's claim for service connection is denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim seeking service connection for dizziness is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and ear disorder other than hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as otitis media) are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he has only one service-connected disability rated at 80 percent, which is less than 100 percent.

The case is being remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the Board's previous directives and to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TMJ dysfunction were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence, including VA examinations conducted in February 2007, March 2009, December 2012, and private audiometric evaluation in April 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the Marine Reserve and a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to February 10, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disorder, headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder were all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a significant shift in hearing during service. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus. The criteria for entitlement to service connection for tinnitus have been met.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling new VA examinations and affording him an opportunity for a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and seborrheic dermatitis in the groin area is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head laceration with loss of consciousness is denied. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) are pending as additional evidence may be needed to establish the presence or etiology of these conditions. Service connection for coronary artery disease secondary to PTSD remains pending.