Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and the Board has dismissed this issue. The hearing on appeal is limited to the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service records and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic skin rash will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there were no chronic symptoms of hearing loss in service and the current condition is not etiologically related to service. The claims for increased evaluations for right knee and left knee disabilities, and initial compensable rating for sinusitis disorder from July 29, 1999 to December 19, 2007 were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for service connection for left eye cataract is also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensably disabling prior to December 9, 2008 and 10 percent disabling since that time. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not otherwise related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran incurred this condition due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of right foot surgery, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and consideration of staged ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous medical examination and to obtain any recent treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises during his time as a medical specialist in Fort Lewis, Washington. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's eczema was not incurred in service and the Board finds that there is no link between his current skin condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 1, 2007 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent after November 1, 2007 was also denied.

The Board found that service-connected PTSD and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death from cardiovascular disabilities. The expert opinion concluded there was less than a 50% chance that these conditions caused or aggravated his fatal cardiac conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examination did not find a link between current symptoms and military noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss for VA purposes at separation, but there was a minimal increase in his hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current bilateral hearing loss and service. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.