Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 30, 2008, for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left upper extremity vascular disease are remanded due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or otherwise related to service. Other claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, and special monthly compensation (SMC). The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from January 2012 to present.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss rating is being remanded due to the lack of a copy of the March 2015 audiometric testing.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but his claim for service connection itself remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to such ratings during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, lower right back scar, lupus, left elbow tendonitis, right elbow tendonitis, spine condition, and neck condition are all denied. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for lupus requires further investigation as private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Both conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for contact dermatitis of the feet was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a fracture of the 11th and 12th right ribs were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support higher ratings based on the provided medical evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since May 17, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his hearing impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, depression, and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 18, 2019 and service connection for perforated ear drum, ear scarring, running ear, and chronic otitis media. The decision is based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions, as well as the need to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's disabilities include musculoskeletal issues, hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, lung conditions, headaches, heart condition, diabetes mellitus, kidney conditions, eye conditions, peripheral neuropathies, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 10 percent for ear pain throughout the appeal. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated VA medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including considering his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and back disorder due to inadequate etiological opinions in prior VA examinations. The Veteran's service records do not show any specific complaints or treatment for these conditions during service, but he contends that his current symptoms are related to incidents during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.