Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for lower back disability and neck disability due to lack of a nexus opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions that consider the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma, his statements about continuous hearing issues since service, and any potential toxic exposure risk activities (TERA).

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 1, 2019 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting the VA criteria for a hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as audiometric testing does not meet the criteria for a current disability.,The claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis, residuals of TBI, and headache disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Board has remanded the claim for traumatic brain injury (TBI) as there was insufficient evidence in the August 2018 VA examination regarding the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and CFS due to potential new evidence and exposure issues. The Veteran's hearing loss is being examined again, his TERA status needs to be evaluated, and a VA examination regarding CFS causation by PTSD will also be conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Further examination is required as the July 2013 VA audiological examination was inadequate.

The claims for service connection for right and left foot plantar fasciitis are granted. The claims for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, claimed as full body weakness (including joint weakness), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of medical evidence supporting the Veteran's assertions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and hearing loss/tinnitus have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is now granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has not warranted a compensable rating during the appeal period, and therefore his claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun in service and has continued since then.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and difficulty swallowing and cotton mouth (Cranial Nerve IX impairment) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. However, the issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has granted a TDIU from March 27, 2019, forward. However, the matter of entitlement to a TDIU prior to March 27, 2019, is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has decided that the VA's January 2019 rating decision on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is incorrect, and a new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.