Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not occur in service and is unrelated to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since December 23, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, and a VA examination or an examination at his correctional facility is needed to determine if his bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for meningitis was dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability, as the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in the January 2008 VA examination report regarding the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to 0 percent was proper. The Veteran's appeal as to a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran requested a higher evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, but withdrew the appeal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of treatment with ototoxic medications by VA clinicians without his informed consent. The Board finds that compensation for this condition under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted since April 8, 2009.

The Board determined that the Veteran's second period of military service was not honorable for VA purposes and is a bar to VA benefits. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including obtaining VA treatment records from May 2006 to March 2008 and scheduling a VA medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for panhypopituitarism, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, a remand is necessary as the VA examinations did not consider whether his medications render him housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of an injury to the coccyx, low sex drive, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a heat injury, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.