Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate rationale in the previous examination. The Veteran's exposure during active duty and National Guard service is noted, but the examiner did not consider his ACDUTRA service or the potential aggravation of tinnitus by hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable evaluation is denied.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are all remanded. The appeal for service connection for low back pain is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the disability. For his IVDS and thoracolumbar DJD, the Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent are not met.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee condition, right knee condition, left leg condition, lumbar back condition, and neck condition due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran was not scheduled for examinations because he failed to appear, but it is believed he was briefly incarcerated in March 2022.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of updated audiometric testing results and an unclear VA examination conducted in May 2019.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he have a need for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for Meniere's syndrome with hearing loss and tinnitus is granted prior to February 6, 2018. For the period since February 6, 2018, a separate 30 percent rating for peripheral vestibular disorder is granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examination was canceled. The Board is remanding for a new VA opinion.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of hypertension in the record.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, and headaches to include tension headaches and as secondary to service connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as migraine headaches) are unclear due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran must be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.,The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of a chronic condition in the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at a noncompensable level (10%) since June 2015. The Board denied an increased rating as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his skin disabilities, as the current VA opinions are inadequate. The Board also finds that service connection should be reopened on new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for left knee condition as it is proximately due to a service-connected back condition. The claim for service connection for epididymitis remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met during either period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current disability and the evidence does not support a finding that it had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to a period of active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Diverticulitis) has been remanded due to lack of adjudication on this issue.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The claims are currently pending.