Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the Board found that any current conditions are not related to service. The claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of November 8, 2012.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, which may be related to military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines. The Board found no evidence of worsening since the last examination and denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 25, 2014. The decision found that the Veteran was not precluded from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records from before 1996 and private treatment records from Moncrief Army Community Hospital. The Veteran is also required to undergo new medical examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing disability to his active duty service.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss is related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his pure tone thresholds did not meet VA regulatory criteria for a current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied, and his request for an increased evaluation of the left ankle disability from March 5, 2014, was granted with a rating of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated and are now at their maximum allowable levels. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on additional disability or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical evidence and conflicting service dates. The Veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric disorder claims are pending further examination and development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not have onset during or within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure that could cause the current condition.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not service-connected as there is no evidence showing its onset during service or being related to an in-service event, injury, or disease. The diagnosis was made post-service.,There is no diagnosed bilateral eye condition due to service or service-connected disease or injury.,The Veteran's kidney condition is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service and there is no evidence showing its relation to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is not service-connected as it did not have onset during service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and there is no evidence of in-service exposure that could cause the condition.,There is no diagnosed skeletal arthritis or gout due to service or service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle disability, bilateral knee conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.