Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest date is April 18, 2019. The Veteran did not provide new and material evidence within one year of the denial or argue clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has granted increased ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bilateral Hearing Loss, effective October 4, 2023. The past-due benefits resulting from these decisions are now eligible for attorney fees.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.,All other claims, including those for back disability, left ear hearing loss, depression (secondary to service-connected disabilities), left hand and right hand disabilities, sleep apnea (undiagnosed illness and/or medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness due to exposure to environmental hazards during the Persian Gulf War) and secondary to service-connected disabilities, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time during or approximate to his claim.

The Veteran's claim for a nonservice-connected pension is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted. The claim for a right wrist disorder is remanded due to an error in the previous VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will provide the Veteran with proper notice of his right to a hearing before readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not rated higher than noncompensable. The psychiatric disability claim requires a VA examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his lumbar disability and right knee disability, as well as his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted a TDIU due to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and hearing loss disabilities, including resultant dizziness and imbalance, rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for dental, bilateral hearing loss, low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or that any are related to service.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the appeal period. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish a current disability.,The Board finds no evidence of a current low back, right knee, or left knee disability in the record and concludes that these claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence to support their existence.,,

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining medical nexus opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disabilities are related to service. The decision will consider evidence of record at the time of the June 2022 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to in-service hazardous noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to her active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral feet, low back pain, right knee pain, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was established for these conditions based on their onset during periods of active duty.