Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss are inadequate, necessitating further development to determine if her hearing loss is related to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there were no prior unadjudicated claims, and VA laws do not allow for an effective date earlier than the day following separation from service.

The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service or service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right foot condition, and increased evaluation for tinnitus were dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for various knee disabilities, shoulder conditions, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and to determine if a new examination is needed for the service-connected Peripheral Vestibular Disorder (PVD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and urinary incontinence as there is no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with Level I hearing acuity in both ears. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and tinea versicolor have been granted initial ratings. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his left shoulder disability and tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for hypertension, presumed due to herbicide exposure.

Service connection is granted for hemorrhoids. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, chest pain, lower back condition, and cervical spine condition.,A rating higher than 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the left ear hearing loss claim due to inconsistencies in audiometric test results.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The issues of initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left and right feet, as well as service connection for OSA are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including back pain, inguinal hernias, anorexia, hiatal hernia, stomach issues, irregular heartbeat, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding treatment records and potential SSA records. The Veteran's hearing loss claim will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating of bipolar disorder with personality disorder, TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, and obtaining employment information.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is acknowledged, but the adequacy and review of the August 2022 VA examination are questioned.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 12, 2020 was denied. The claim for a TDIU during the period from August 19, 2014 through January 2, 2022 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not support reopening the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and denied all other claims as well.