Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether his brain tumor qualifies for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with depression, and tinnitus) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 21, 2010 was denied. From September 21, 2010 onwards, the RO assigned a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, a bilateral knee condition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low back pain, and migraine headaches, have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that would support the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that the current conditions were related to his military service or exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not due to any incident of service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by numeric designations of impairment not greater than level III bilaterally, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor is it secondary to his service-connected hypertension. For his bilateral hearing loss, there was no evidence of an increased disability warranting a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also noted that there was no evidence showing tinnitus, leading to its denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins of the right leg, chronic duodenal ulcer, varicose veins of the left leg, and tinnitus, are considered in determining his employability. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to evaluate the impact of these conditions on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's disability compensation benefits are not apportioned to his minor children due to the fact that he is providing for them through garnishment of Social Security checks, and there is no evidence of hardship or special circumstances warranting a special apportionment.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 8, 2006 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and ringworm of the bilateral legs was denied as there is no indication that he submitted a formal or informal claim within one year of his discharge from service. The earliest possible effective date is December 8, 2006, the day the Veteran's claims were received by the RO.

The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case has been remanded due to inconsistencies with the private report and assertions by the Veteran's representative that the December 2009 VA examination is insufficient.