Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's heat-related disability, including heat exhaustion and heat rash, was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to February 29, 2016. The Board referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent since July 12, 2010. Additionally, from July 12, 2010, a TDIU has also been granted due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an enlarged heart disability and right ear hearing loss disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not caused by military noise exposure. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder), substance abuse disorder, hepatitis C, and hypertension remain remanded due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and potential herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of stress fractures (shin splints) bilateral due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative cited a more recent article suggesting delayed onset hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board finds that additional development is necessary for the remaining issues, including obtaining complete STRs and VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hot flashes, related to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hot flashes to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss, service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his TDIU claim due to inextricability with other issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at most Level III in the right ear and Level V in the left ear, which corresponds to a 10 percent rating. The Board denied entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for the period prior to August 26, 2021, and denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period from August 26, 2021.

The Board has reinstated the Veteran's appeal due to a timely filed VA Form 9. The appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation regarding service connection for right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in a 70% rating, effective September 24, 2014. The Board also granted a TDIU for the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis have been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination for both conditions, as well as to obtain updated treatment records and determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding symptoms of hearing loss shortly after his separation from service were credible, and thus concluded that service connection should be granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, OSA, anxiety and depression, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are pending.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted as service connected, and the claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to lack of current disability meeting VA criteria, and because he was able to maintain employment during periods when his disabilities were rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder condition, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.