Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral thigh and hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO must schedule a VA orthopedic examination and an audiological examination to address these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and review of his worker's compensation claim. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation for panic disorder, so it must be deferred.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during his period of service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding hearing loss, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disabilities are more likely related to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the current disabilities being considered as a result of noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have post-service hearing loss as contemplated by VA regulations, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including left ear hearing loss, right shoulder impingement syndrome, sinusitis, and a disability manifested by shortness of breath. The evidence fails to establish a nexus between these conditions and her active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions in the VA examination and a change in audiometric data between service entrance and separation.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Hillcrest Medical Center on March 12, 2006 is denied because the evidence does not show that he was in an emergency situation, received prior authorization from VA, or sought post-treatment authorization within 72 hours. The care provided did not meet one of the regulatory conditions for payment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 and 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Veteran seeks a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity and impact on daily activities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of an increase in disability prior to July 6, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service non-combat-related acoustic trauma and service connection for this condition has been granted. The right ear hearing loss was also granted, but with a 0 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's disability rating schedule. The Veteran was also granted referral to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to the severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold weather injuries of the right and left feet, as well as increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The decision also addressed the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss prior to April 30, 2007, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during his time in Vietnam. The decision granted service connection for bilateral periodic tinnitus but denied service connection for sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service.