Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for sleep apnea. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is based on a finding that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss as defined by VA standards, and there is no evidence linking his hearing loss to in-service noise exposure or any other in-service event. Service connection was denied because the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's hearing loss and military service. The Board also remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable evaluation has been denied.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70%, which meets the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, the Board finds that he does not meet the noneconomic component of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in previous VA examinations and a need for an addendum opinion considering delayed-onset hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.,For DM, the Board noted there was no in-service diagnosis or incident, and the condition was diagnosed many years after separation. For hypertension, the claim was denied as secondary to DM since DM itself is not service-connected. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's STRs showed normal hearing at entry and separation, and he did not report any significant noise exposure during service.,For tinnitus, the Board found no evidence of in-service onset or connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active military service and continues to this day, granting his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied it. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorder, and history of alcohol abuse is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has remanded the claims for tuberculosis, pain and numbness of the upper extremities, kidney failure, and heart disability (claimed as open-heart surgery) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not warrant such a rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is found to be the primary cause of his hypothyroidism. The hearing loss claim has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between military service and these conditions.,For the right ankle condition and left ankle condition, the appeal is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss are remanded. The Veteran is also requested to provide evidence of toxic exposure risk activities in service, as the PACT Act requires a medical opinion on the likelihood of a nexus between his conditions and such exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of back disability, and the neck, arm, lower extremity, and hearing loss disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The Board finds no legal basis to grant a higher evaluation. For the compensable hearing loss, the Veteran's claim is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private treatment records and VA treatment records that need to be obtained, as well as a VA examination for the Veteran's hearing loss, skin disorder, GERD, and hiatal hernia. The claims for service connection will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as abdominal pain with hiatal hernia and ulcer symptoms, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is also being remanded for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of auditory damage in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current right ear hearing loss and military service.