Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the timeliness of his substantive appeal regarding reopening service connection claims for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as it was not received within the required time frame.

The Board has remanded the claims for a neck disorder and hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the record, including VA examination reports that are inadequate. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development, including verification of service dates and an examination by a clinician.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he did not have a hearing disability at the time of his December 2016 claim. The claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as it is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal regarding residuals of right wrist injury/surgery is REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities is REMANDED.,PTSD ratings are also REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss which has been effective since April 4, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, including noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing that his current disability began during or was aggravated by active duty. The gap in time between separation from service and initial treatment is significant, and there are no documented symptoms or diagnoses related to this condition until many years after service.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, neck disorder, and peripheral vestibular disorder due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an audiologic examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need to issue a statement of the case and advise the Veteran of his right to appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that had onset in service or within one post-service year, and it is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 13, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The TDIU issue is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied as his puretone thresholds and speech discrimination scores did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability rating for left ear sensorineural hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a compensable (10 percent) rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in audiometric testing and speech discrimination scores, which need clarification from the private examiner.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective from December 17, 2020. The previously assigned ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were discontinued.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disability, left foot disability, psychiatric disorder, dental disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased to a level that warranted an increase from 10% to 40%, effective February 7, 2018. The decision is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service exposure to hazardous noise and grants service connection for this condition.