Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to noise exposure during active duty.,There is no evidence of chronic disabilities manifested by spots on the bladder or hand tremors in service or post-service, and VA examinations were not provided.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient development, including failure to obtain relevant private treatment records from ENT and Allergy Associates of Florida.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 23, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as new and relevant evidence had not been received to readjudicate the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 50 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hand scars are currently rated as noncompensable. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo (dizziness), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are warranted.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in not obtaining a medical opinion prior to issuing the March 2021 decision on appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ failed to obtain adequate etiology opinions prior to the July 2022 rating decision on appeal, and there may have been outstanding private treatment records that were not obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and Meniere's disease are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2019 VA examinations. The Board requires a new examination from an ENT specialist to determine if these conditions are related to service, including noise exposure during combat.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and in-service noise exposure, and the Veteran's separation examination showed normal hearing.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to in-service acoustic trauma. However, due to inadequate opinions regarding these conditions, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is granted, and the right ear hearing loss disability issue is remanded. The heart disability issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the August 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cold weather injuries of the bilateral feet are not considered to have contributed to his death from unspecified atrial fibrillation. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Board has found the March 2021 decision inadequate and remanded for an updated medical review to determine if the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, and toileting. The decision also notes that the Veteran may require regular supervision, protection, or instruction to keep himself safe.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss.