Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added after the February 2020 Statement of the Case, and the AOJ must consider this evidence before making a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to March 2, 2020 and a higher rating from March 2, 2020 for bilateral hearing loss. The most probative evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with scheduling examinations and obtaining necessary records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The claim for an earlier effective date for diabetes mellitus, type II prior to June 30, 2015, is denied. The Veteran's original claim was received on that date and there were no prior claims filed before then.,The skin condition (claimed as skin cancer) is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service exposure to herbicides.,The erectile dysfunction is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II or the Veteran's own service.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and psychiatric disorder, claiming PTSD. The decision is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as Level I, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year following his separation from active service and is not causally related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for TBI, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are not yet fully informed due to a lack of VA examiner opinions on whether these conditions had their onset in service or are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical nexus opinions and the need for an in-person VA examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, including consideration of his lay statements.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, left ear hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The rating reduction for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating, effective January 1, 2013, was proper as the initial assignment of a 10 percent rating was clearly erroneous and the RO properly complied with procedural requirements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as PTSD) and for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any acquired psychiatric disability, nor was there sufficient evidence to establish service connection based on direct service connection or aggravation of a pre-existing condition. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's pure tone thresholds were within normal limits with no significant speech discrimination impairment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,The Veteran's SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status claim was denied due to the presence of nonservice-connected disabilities that contributed to his need for assistance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as lower back condition) and denied the claims for right ear hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and an effective date prior to June 30, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is remanded due to potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a back condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a left ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.,Service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded due to lack of in-service evidence and potential TERA exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss and TDIU claims are being remanded for further evaluation. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss, and the RO must request that he complete a formal TDIU application form.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.