Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurring skin rash in the groin area, finding that it began during active service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not established.

The veteran's vocational rehabilitation benefits were interrupted due to lack of adequate pursuit of his program goals. The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service or any incident of military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 20, 2002 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no earlier claims were filed and that the earliest effective date was November 20, 2002.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are rated at 70 percent combined, but the evidence does not show that they alone preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, TDIU is denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms after discharge, nor is there any medical nexus linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving boils or furuncles, other than scarring from service-connected boils. The veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and otitis media and externa are also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a service-connected hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims for left hip, thigh, ankle, and shoulder disorders are also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral pes planus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that neither condition warranted a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found no connection between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his time in service. As for PTSD, the appellant is currently receiving a 30 percent rating which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including any in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete notification under the VCAA, requiring additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's nasopharyngeal cancer is related to his military service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The issues of left ear hearing loss and dry mouth, throat, and dysphagia as secondary to nasopharyngeal cancer are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for nasopharyngeal cancer.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus have been denied. The veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable under VA regulations.