Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss and vertigo disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records not obtained. The Veteran was also asked to provide non-VA medical providers' records.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his inability to work is attributed to nonservice-connected disabilities such as stroke, PTSD, epilepsy, and spine issues. The Board denied the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on issues related to service connection and initial ratings for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but the issue of a higher rating remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking his current conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of the condition and the Veteran did not have a recent diagnosis prior to filing his claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted. However, the Board denied service connection for this condition as there is no persuasive evidence that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's bilateral eye conditions were also denied as there is no persuasive evidence they began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss due to a colonoscopy performed at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center on November 29, 2007 because there is no evidence that VA's carelessness or negligence caused the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 5, 2011 is being remanded due to the interrelated nature with his neck disability issue.,The Board finds that an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the Veteran's neck disability as it was based on inaccurate factual premises.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and its relation to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has not been found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as it does not exceed Level I. The Board denied an increase in his disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's decreased hearing acuity began during service and has been recurrent since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for erectile dysfunction due to new evidence of worsening conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the Veteran had BHL and remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is also remanded.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities is established, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a skin condition, and service connection for a lower back condition are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected due to an in-service injury during active duty.,The Veteran's bilateral foot numbness secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's skin disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition related to his military service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service.