Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence regarding in-service stressors for PTSD and because the Veteran was homeless at the time of the January 2019 letter requesting information about his stressors.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as it meets the criteria for a current disability and there is a link to service.,Right ear hearing loss is denied because no current disability was found, despite in-service noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to a procedural defect.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and related conditions, have resulted in a TDIU effective February 16, 2023.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and tremors has been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at May 4, 2012. A TDIU due solely to PTSD was granted as of May 1, 2022. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, ulcerative colitis, bilateral flatfoot, and back condition due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of skin cancer excision scars, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple noncompensable disabilities are dismissed. The Board also remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension, as well as his claims for arthritis of various joints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with her work and education background.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus, BHL disability, OSA, and TMJ disorder with bruxism were all granted service connection.,All issues on appeal have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and digestive disorder due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability. The Veteran's contentions regarding etiology are not considered sufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is denied as he does not have this condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, major depression disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia) is denied. The Veteran submitted opinions from private doctors stating that he has these conditions, but the Board finds their opinions outweighed by other medical evidence of record and insufficient to establish a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and his STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right lower extremity nerve disorder, and left lower extremity nerve disorder are denied as the Veteran's STRs do not show any relevant symptoms. The VA examiner found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for a heart disorder (atrial fibrillation, bradycardia) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his atrial fibrillation is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity edema (right and left) is denied as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and the VA examiners found that his diagnosed conditions are less likely than not related to service.,Service connection for hypertension prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. The Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service and the VA examiner found that his bradycardia is at least as likely as not related to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction prior to August 10, 2022 is denied. There is no in-service noise exposure documented and the Veteran's STRs show he had a benign heart murmur at entrance to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, stomach condition (acid, gas, chronic constipation, and hiatal hernia), and irregular heartbeat as they were granted service connection in an August 2023 rating decision. The claim for globus hystericus (lump in throat) and eye disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of reasons and bases for its findings regarding the Veteran's dizziness and lost work time related to his hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU due to in-service noise exposure. The claims will be reviewed again with a new examination for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete audiometric testing records. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss will be further evaluated.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and thus the appeal must be remanded once again due to the failure to obtain the February 2018 private audiological examination report from Dr. D.P., Au.D.