Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or continuity of symptomatology since service separation. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing was within normal limits and did not have any hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss had improved significantly, warranting a reduction from a 10% rating to noncompensable effective April 1, 1999.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU remains in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and requests that the Veteran's representative have an opportunity to review the claims file before his hearing.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy, glaucoma, vertigo, and memory loss. His combined nonservice-connected disability rating for pension purposes is 90 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and the Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service, was not manifested within one year of separation, and is otherwise unrelated to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and determining whether the Veteran may be recognized as a veteran for VA purposes during his period of under other than honorable conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back strain with degenerative changes and instability, and bilateral sciatica are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The other conditions are also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The noncompensable disability rating for her history of ruptured right eardrum is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in its March 6, 2009 decision regarding his service-connected sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. The Board also dismissed the motions for CUE in the decisions regarding new and material evidence to reopen claims of bilateral hearing loss, chronic bilateral tendonitis of the legs, and a dental disorder for compensation purposes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is also dismissed as there are no freestanding claims for increased ratings that can be granted under current law.

The Board denied service connection for kidney disorder, left ear hearing loss, left ear tinnitus, and eye disorder (secondary to diabetes mellitus) as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service noise exposure and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his low back disability remains in remand status due to insufficient development.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service and credible lay and medical evidence did not support a finding that they began in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss disability is not.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and Meniere's disease. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.