Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records, SSA records, and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his chronic hypertension, colon disorder, and pulmonary disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a compensable evaluation are being remanded due to the need for a Board Videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of worsening or increase in severity that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a hearing loss disability. The appeal was denied as there was no showing of chronicity in service or continuity after discharge, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA medical examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate an entitlement to a higher rating based on the current audiometric findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and need for clarification of medical opinions regarding his service-connected PTSD, gastrointestinal condition, fungus on both feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, including its impact on daily activities and occupational functioning. Additionally, all relevant VA records from April 2006 to the present should be associated with the claims file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his employability and the impact of his service-connected conditions. The Parkinson's disease claim related to presumed herbicides exposure will also be referred back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of record showing a relationship between his tinnitus and service. As such, both claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hepatitis C, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's spinal disorder was granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 25, 2010, but not in excess of that. The Veteran's snapping hip syndrome was also denied.