Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss and headaches are denied, while his TBI, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy receive initial ratings.

The Veteran's umbilical hernia residuals are currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the lack of current diagnosis and evidence of hearing impairment for VA purposes.

The Veteran is seeking additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the CRSC program for the period from December 2011 to April 2015, and he also wants to know if it was proper to withhold his VA disability compensation benefits due to a retired pay adjustment. The Board has ordered further action to review these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his unspecified depressive disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for pre-existing hearing loss in both the right and left ears, finding that there was an increase in severity during service without clear and unmistakable evidence of natural progression. The Veteran's exposure to noise trauma while on active duty is acknowledged, as are his symptoms of hearing loss since discharge.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue and left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity lymphedema and remanded the hearing loss claim. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The AOJ will obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct further development as needed, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and tinnitus have been granted. The effective dates are set at May 16, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent, as the audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection. The back, left knee, and right hip disabilities remain pending.,Service connection for migraines is established as the condition was first noted during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus disability, finding that there is at least a balance of evidence in favor of this determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he does not have a current disability that meets VA criteria.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, have caused him to be unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and asthma have been reopened based on new evidence received since the August 1995 denial. Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and asthma.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, or duodenal ulcer. Sinusitis was granted on a presumptive basis, but the Veteran still does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 29, 2019 and thereafter.,The Board also denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, shoulder disabilities, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disability, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, knee disability, low back disability, and neurological disabilities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2016 but new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, due to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service, has been granted. The claims for other conditions have been reopened and are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.