Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's heart condition was not service connected due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment and the absence of a causal link to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hip disability, and left hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. A new VA examination with comprehensive opinions on service connection will be arranged.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating. The case is being remanded for further development regarding his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination in April 2016, and he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure, as there was no evidence of significant decline in hearing thresholds during service and the Veteran reported noticing hearing problems only post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active-duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new and material evidence was submitted for service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD with alcohol dependency, bilateral hearing loss, sleep problems and nightmares, and tension headaches. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for readjudication.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss prior to December 26, 2018 was rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability and the need for further examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the claims for arthritis all over the body, hearing loss, atrial fibrillation, and bronchitis at a Board hearing. As the Veteran died during the appeal process, the remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is granted, as it is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted based on evidence showing the Veteran experienced symptoms during service due to military noise exposure and these have persisted since then.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and claustrophobia) is remanded as the Board finds it necessary to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted based on evidence showing the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder began during active duty, while his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) from September 3, 2015 due to evidence suggesting the service-connected disabilities may have rendered the Veteran unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for multiple sclerosis. The Veteran does not have a current disability of right or left ear hearing loss, as defined by VA regulatory criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. For multiple sclerosis, a VA examination is needed to determine if the condition began during service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating for depression prior to July 10, 2018, residuals of a TBI, eye disorder (spots in eyes), and temporomandibular disorder. The Veteran is not shown to have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and the issues related to his psychiatric conditions and injuries are also remanded.

Service connection for broken left collarbone is denied as the pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.,Initial disability rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from October 15, 2015 to August 17, 2021 is denied due to no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted during this period.,Initial disability rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 17, 2021 to November 10, 2021 is denied as the evidence does not show a higher rating is warranted during this period.,Initial disability rating of 80 percent or higher for bilateral hearing loss from November 10, 2021 forward is denied due to no evidence showing a higher rating is warranted during this period.