Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and evaluation due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Regarding the right shoulder disability, the claim is being remanded due to incomplete examination report.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including low back condition, right tibia fracture residuals, bilateral hearing loss, liver disease, headaches, PTSD, TDIU, IBS, and an effective date for IBS. The remand includes obtaining reserve records, psychiatric examination reports, and sending a copy of the July 2016 Statement of the Case to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of examination. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing impairment for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's sleep related disability, to include sleep apnea, is denied as the medical evidence does not establish an in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's gout is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence and it did not manifest within one year post-service.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service incurrence and it did not manifest within one year post-service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.,Obstructive sleep apnea and pseudofolliculitis barbae are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service, including exposure to noise. The claimants were advised that they could resubmit their claims if new evidence is provided.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the May 2014 rating decision denying these conditions was final due to an untimely NOD. The earliest available effective dates are the date of receipt of the new claim, which is May 23, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and insomnia disorder) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for bilateral blepharitis is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and ankle disabilities due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board finds further development is required for the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including rating determinations and service connection for various conditions. The case is returned to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and has remanded his claims for higher ratings for low back disability, associated lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and other issues related to his low back.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at 70 percent effective May 27, 2021.,Service connection for residuals of fracture second vertebra, C2, cervical spine (neck) has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination, lack of consideration of service treatment records, and in-service noise exposure. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from December 1, 2007 to January 10, 2012 for the purposes of accrued benefits. The claim for TDIU prior to August 30, 2005 on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gout (to include as secondary to the service-connected bilateral hallux valgus) due to unclear medical findings and potential interplay with TDIU.