Hearing loss decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for several of the issues on appeal. The claims must be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, as well as any aggravation or secondary service connection.,The Board also notes that some of the issues have not been fully developed with respect to obtaining treatment records and other evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a higher rating from November 8, 2004. A TDIU was denied prior to August 16, 2005 and granted thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases in the decision regarding the adequacy and probative value of the examiner’s opinions, particularly those related to delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, loss of sense of smell and taste, sleep disorder, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left foot disability. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to address the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the right ear hearing loss claim was granted. However, his claims for increased ratings for CFS were all denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's pinguecula is remanded for further examination to determine its likely cause.,The Veteran's left ankle disability, loss of sensation in the left and right hands, acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depressive disorder), left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability are all remanded as they may be related to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran also has other issues that need examination including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to deficiencies in the previous VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus is denied, and the issue of service connection for residuals of dental surgery on left canine is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from May 21, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, specifically in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements about noise exposure during and after service, including his MOS as a weapons mechanic and post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives, and a new addendum opinion is required for service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including those for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, perforated right ear drum, and cervical spine disability. The remaining claims of sinusitis, respiratory disability (including asthma and bronchitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been remanded as well.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity was at most Level III.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that he had an in-service injury, linking his current condition to military service. Service connection is now established.

The Board has decided that the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss needs to be remanded due to incomplete development of records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.