Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the issue of left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to exposure to excessive noise (acoustic trauma) during active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and hypertension. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and diabetes mellitus, type II. However, the issue of service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding exposure to herbicides.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as Level I, which is noncompensable.,There is no current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of in-service evidence. The RO is instructed to obtain private audiological treatment records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeals for service connection regarding a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of hysterectomy need to be remanded due to new evidence added to the record since the March 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss must be remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit.,The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome has also been granted as a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus, finding that the pre-existing conditions increased in severity during service. Service connection is also granted for back disability (arthritis), right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete military records, requiring a new VA examination and review of service personnel records.

The Veteran's service-connected rhinosinusitis is found to be a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which has been granted as secondary to his service-connected condition. The claim of PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and the absence of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during or after service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of September 25, 2015. However, due to the remand for extra-schedular consideration, the case is now pending again with the possibility of a TDIU being granted on an extra-schedular basis prior to September 25, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left-ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral shin splints are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of October 13, 2010. A rating in excess of 20% prior to August 12, 2016, and a 10% rating from August 12, 2016 to November 7, 2018 was granted for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating after November 7, 2018 is currently pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 3, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU based on this condition.