Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus that is causally related to his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin rash. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD but with an initial evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss or basal cell carcinoma of the skin, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The residuals of shrapnel injuries to both legs are also denied.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and Social Security Administration documentation. The veteran's claims for hearing loss, paranoid schizophrenia, and type II diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss, left knee condition, or right knee condition to his military service. The Board concluded that the veteran's conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 13, 2000. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 27, 2003, is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the level of impairment required for an increased rating, TDIU, or SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar, status post appendectomy does not warrant a compensable rating due to lack of current symptomatology. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and denied the claim. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board noted current diagnoses but could not establish a nexus between the condition and active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability with vertigo, resulting in a denial of the application.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss have been assigned the maximum disability ratings available under VA regulations. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The case will also be considered for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The veteran is also seeking separate ratings for left ankle orthopedic impairment and left knee instability.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the Board making a decision.