Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous examinations were inadequate. Additionally, VA must obtain all relevant treatment records from specific VAMCs and CBOCs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, while his bilateral knee disability was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was not permanently worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and VA/Tricare treatment records, as well as for further examinations of his bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain, muscle tension headaches, left knee strain, and right knee strain. The claims will be reviewed again after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a right leg disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's exposure to fear of hostile military activity during his Vietnam service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability and an evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, including consideration of extra-schedular criteria, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and review of whether referral for an extra-schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits was denied as he did not have an employment handicap despite having multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of proper VCAA notice and an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms are less likely due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to conflicting VA examination reports and the need for additional development, including obtaining ongoing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has manifested no more than Level I impairment in the right ear and left ear, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's service-connected right wrist arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing difficulties during or immediately after service and the delay in diagnosis makes it unlikely that the condition is service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of a 60 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU are denied. The effective date for the 60 percent evaluation is set at September 20, 2010, based on the date of receipt of his claim for increase. The effective date for the TDIU is set at November 11, 2010, based on factually ascertainable evidence of an increase in disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to his service, including exposure to noise trauma. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's fatal liver cancer and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has received notification from the appellant that he wishes to withdraw his appeals for hearing loss disability and tinnitus. As such, these issues are dismissed.