Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service.

The Board has decided that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is associated with any other conditions, such as dizziness and imbalance. The case is being sent back for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions, including bilateral eye disability, vertigo, depression, anxiety, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.,The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's in-service complaints or symptoms and his current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to conflicting opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss as secondary to Meniere's disease, and tinnitus have all been granted. The conditions are considered presumptively related due to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, vertigo, bilateral knee weakness, and bilateral lower extremity blood vessel aneurisms are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease was improperly reduced from 20% to 10%, and the 20% rating is restored. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disorders, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been granted, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to headaches has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's left knee disability has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to flexion limited to 30 degrees or any other impairment to warrant higher or separate ratings during the appeal period.,The Veteran's right knee disability has not manifested functional impairment equivalent to flexion limited to 30 degrees or any other impairment to warrant higher or separate ratings during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 6, 2009, to December 26, 2012, is granted. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's cause of death is attributed to chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure, nonrheumatic aortic (valve) stenosis, and unspecified atrial fibrillation. The Board has determined that the service connection for these conditions needs further clarification due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine. Service connection is remanded for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted. However, the Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the possibility that the condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee scar is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for presbyopia is denied as refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, lung condition, and eczema are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and right leg condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating prior to April 28, 2023 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from New Bedford VA Clinic.