Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's initial service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, but the RO failed to provide proper VCAA notice regarding higher rating claims. The case is being remanded to address this issue.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is more likely than not due to his period of active military service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss warrants a 20 percent evaluation, but not higher. The current rating is denied.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be more likely than not secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss by aggravation and denied service connection for head injury residuals and PTSD. The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities include Crohn's disease, neck pain, low back pain with radiculopathy, tinnitus, status post septoplasty with sinusitis and rhinitis, headaches, and major depression. The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected hemorrhoids, effective from the date of the decision. The hearing loss disability remains at a non-compensable rating.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran has a bilateral knee disorder related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a medical interpretation of his May 2003 audiogram results and a new VA audiological evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no established link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, concluding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hidradenitis suppurativa.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to determine if the veteran has left ankle, left knee, or hearing loss disabilities that are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss to his military service, including any inservice noise exposure. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, but further examination and review of his VA rehabilitation records are needed to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was not granted due to lack of current evidence of a disability. The psychiatric disability claim, including PTSD, is remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 90 percent, as his current average puretone threshold is 98 decibels in both ears.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus require additional development, including scheduling an examination to determine if he meets the criteria for a hearing disability under VA standards and whether his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The hearing loss claim will be remanded to obtain an opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by or caused by the service-connected left tympanic membrane perforation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.