Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verifying alleged exposure in service and obtaining medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code due to a lack of evidence showing medical infeasibility or serious employment handicap during his period of basic eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable prior to December 27, 2008 and does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning on that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records from Tuscaloosa VAMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during his period of active military service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation. For the right shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee conditions, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have originated during active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma sustained as a tank crewman while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have verified stressors for PTSD, and there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim. The issue of a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as it involves a new rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA audiological examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service. The VA examiner found no link between any current hearing loss and military service, and concluded it was less likely than not related to acoustic trauma experienced in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains on appeal. The Board has remanded the case to allow further development and consideration of whether a higher rating is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred during service. Service connection for joint pain, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is denied.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss of the right ear. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is remanded due to lack of response and need for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent since October 15, 2008. The claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and higher initial ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable. For hypertension, a rating of 10 percent prior to April 6, 2006, and 10 percent thereafter is granted. GERD remains at a noncompensable level.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were both granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current tinnitus, which is related to his exposure to loud noises during service.