Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for vertigo and loss of equilibrium, increased rating for tinnitus, and earlier effective date for an increased rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete evaluations and potential CUE in previous decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the hearing loss being related to combat exposure in Vietnam and the tinnitus being secondary to his hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral ear hearing loss, peripheral vestibular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability due to issues with the previous decisions and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable rating during the appeal period, and therefore his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic left ankle instability, ankle arthritis, and chronically torn ligaments, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has found the VA examination to be too speculative and inconclusive, thus remanding for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to military service.

The appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder have been denied. The claim for skin cancer is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as her service-connected migraine headaches. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The hearing loss case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as Level I in all VA and private audiometric evaluations, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found the evidence against the claim for a compensable initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no direct link between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inextricably intertwined issues, including a lack of noise exposure assessment. The Veteran's VA treatment records from 1978 onwards must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 21, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support his claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of in-service noise exposure, the absence of a current diagnosis, and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current state of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered after this.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection are remanded due to insufficient information on which to decide the claims. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and cause of his sleep disabilities, low back disabilities, body aches (including fibromyalgia), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. However, these claims are remanded as further medical opinions are needed to address their etiology.