Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic retinopathy and hearing loss were denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA rating schedules. Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the veteran's request.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his current diagnosis and a medical opinion on whether his hearing loss could be related to or aggravated by his service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss and shell fragment wound, left thigh and knee.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss and whether it is related to service. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current hearing loss disability is presumed to have resulted from noise exposure during his active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury to include the right hip and for right ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to address the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder claims. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete information and evidence. The claims of service connection for residuals of injury to the right great toe, bilateral hearing loss, and pneumonia are also being remanded.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. A new VA audiological examination is required, as well as a review of the claim based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions diagnosed in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for asbestos-related lung disease also fails as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability related to asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The RO reduced the veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 0 percent effective September 1, 2007. The reduction was based on test results from a July 2006 VA examination that did not warrant a compensable rating.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with exposure to noise from aircraft. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral tinnitus and chronic otitis media, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim was granted based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities.