Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantial gainful occupation since January 9, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU under 38 CFR §4.16(a) are met from this date.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), alopecia, and allergic rhinitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss, eye, or hip disabilities for which service connection is sought. Therefore, his claims of service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of service connection for gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is currently rated as noncompensable, and there is no indication that it has worsened since the last rating decision.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds remand necessary to determine if his sleep apnea is related to his GERD or another condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level III in the left ear. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine if he currently has a TBI, and whether his other claimed disabilities are secondary to it. His current headaches may also be related to service, including his claimed head injuries and exposure to cannon and howitzer fire.,A VA examiner should provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD.,The Veteran's detached retina is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to TBI.,The Veteran's left middle trigger/locked finger, right middle trigger/locked finger, left ring trigger finger, and right ring trigger finger are all remanded for further evaluation as secondary conditions to TBI.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for internal and external hemorrhoids, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and Reserve service personnel records. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to incomplete employment information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and heart disorder was denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.,Service connection is denied for the following conditions: neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and heart disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and neck disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has found that the VA failed to exhaust all potential locations for the Veteran's service treatment records from October 2011 to May 2012, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, and TDIU due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss requires an SSOC after additional VA examination reports were added to her file without issuance of a new SSOC. Her claim for service connection for vertigo needs a corrective opinion addressing whether it is aggravated by her service-connected bilateral hearing loss and if related to TERA exposure. The TDIU appeal must be remanded pending the development on other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling from February 14, 2012, to September 17, 2019. The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 12, 2017, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been denied.,New and material evidence was received that is sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to deficiencies in the prior examination and the need for an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's work history.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the existence and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.