Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's hearing loss is found to be related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center from May 2, 2004, through May 4, 2004 is denied as there was no indication of a medical emergency that would have necessitated immediate treatment.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 27, 2007 was denied. On or after February 27, 2007, the claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The RO found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met before October 31, 1995; prior to January 10, 2003; and since January 10, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, post-concussive syndrome, temporal lobe seizures, neuropathy of the left common peroneal nerve, left ankle fracture, right ear hearing loss, balance disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for bilateral knee disorder and ankle disorder. The veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The VA Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not related to service, including noise exposure during basic training and while detonating munitions. The evidence showed significant occupational noise exposure from his meat-packing plant work over many years after service.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and adjustment disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for left ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 7, 2008 and a rating in excess of 10 percent beginning April 7, 2008.

The Board finds that the veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss are granted. However, the claim for a low back disorder is denied as there was no in-service injury or incident related to this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric results do not warrant any higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the veteran's hepatitis C disability. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are pending.