Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining his private medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide these records, and he will be notified of any scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service and is not related to in-service noise exposure, leading to a denial of the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and is denied.,Service connection for hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of a current disability being related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for motor sensory condition bilateral upper extremities is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for motor sensory condition bilateral lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a conflict in evidence regarding whether left ear hearing loss is related to service-connected right ear hearing loss and noise exposure. A new opinion is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be non-compensable prior to November 17, 2021, and a compensable rating of 10% is granted from that date onward.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and insomnia. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have onset during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, lack of addendum opinions, and need for further examination. The claims are not yet decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss, including his in-service noise exposure and its relationship to current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the passage of time since his last VA examinations and possible worsening of his service-connected disabilities. He must provide updated treatment records, and he will be scheduled for new VA examinations.

Service connection is granted for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) / Arthritis and/or Degenerative Disc Disease of the Spine.,Service connection is also granted for Tendonitis of the Feet, but service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss and Tinnitus remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.,His sleep apnea is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service. The right foot, RUEPN, LUEPN, RLEPN, LLEPN, left hip, right hip, right CTS, left CTS, right hip scar, lumbar spine, CAD, left knee, right knee, hypertension, and ED conditions are not found to be related to his active duty service. The Veteran's Hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or residuals associated with the condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for other conditions are also granted.

The appeals to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are dismissed. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened, but the Veteran's tinnitus and headaches remain in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 4, 2016 to April 26, 2021 is denied. The claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent or more for bilateral hearing loss after April 27, 2021 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss between June 24, 2014, and May 8, 2018, is denied as his hearing impairment did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 8, 2018, was granted. However, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings from May 8, 2018, remains denied as his hearing impairment did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete vocational rehabilitation folder, and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee strain, internal derangement of the right knee, total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and PTSD due to missing SSA records and examination reports that do not comply with the Board's instructions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted. He was awarded a 20% rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder and depression) due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other 1151 claims.