Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since February 19, 2008. The most recent VA examination in May 2012 showed Level II hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The claim was granted as of November 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the probable etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of pseudofolliculitis barbae, left foot pes planus, and ankle disability are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected asbestosis. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report may not provide a fully reasoned explanation regarding the etiology of these conditions. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his combat service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and is REMANDED.

The claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, kidney cancer, bilateral hand tremors, and right great toe injury are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the prior rating decisions. The Veteran will be provided with VCAA notice regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss disability due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including an addendum to the November 2009 VA examination opinion. The issues of service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hearing loss disability is service connected, but his right hearing loss disability is not. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the right ear.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate due to an inaccurate factual premise and has ordered a remand for corrective action.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous VA examination did not address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a VA opinion on his ability to work.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1815 for a child born with birth defects due to lack of evidence that her mother had Vietnam service, which is required by law.