Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2016 VA examination opinion. The Board requests a new opinion from an audiologist regarding whether his current right ear hearing loss had its onset in service or is otherwise related to military service, including in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to October 16, 2013. Therefore, a TDIU is granted since October 16, 2013, but no earlier.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been assigned a noncompensable rating because the average hearing threshold levels do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss may be related to service, but more evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, spondylolisthesis with spina bifida, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to potential missing SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty and is not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further examination and review, including those related to left knee, shoulder, back, ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus disabilities. The issues are all secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 12, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased evaluations and service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise.

The Board has decided that the VA treatment records from January 2015 to the present, which include audiometric tests at the Dallas VA Medical Center, need to be obtained and reviewed. The hearing loss claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities, and for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the issues of increased rating for folliculitis, service connection for partial use left side of body, mental disability (mood swings), hearing loss in the left ear, and degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear, right knee. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable prior to August 10, 2022 and at least 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to October 27, 2015, due to the need for further action by the Director, VA Compensation Service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sinusitis. However, the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.