Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The TDIU claim is denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus and traumatic brain injury (TBI) were remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cancer cells in cervix as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of service connection for a neurologic disability associated with his back disability, as well as effective dates for various grants of benefits, have also been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including lumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and knee, foot, and hand disabilities, require additional evidence due to outstanding VA medical records. The appeal is remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability, sleep disturbance, and a dental condition. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been remanded.

Your appeals for service connection regarding bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear skin cancer have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has determined that a higher (compensable) initial disability rating for the service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not warranted from June 20, 2013.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hypothyroidism. The examiner must consider various medical articles discussing associations between OSA and psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection but rather about the appropriate disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, left ear hearing loss, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for GAD with Tourette's syndrome due to failure to report for VA examinations without good cause. The claim for right wrist disability was denied as there is no probative evidence linking the current disability to service. The claims for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were denied because there are no audiometric findings of record showing a current disability. The claim for GAD with Tourette's syndrome was denied due to failure to report for an examination without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but he did not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate. The appeal is moot due to the grant of SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a skin disorder and prostate disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied.,Service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's auditory processing disorder. The claim will be returned for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, knee disability, and hip disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran's knee disabilities were related to active service, but did not provide a clear opinion on whether his hip disabilities are secondary to his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The Veteran's hearing loss claim was denied as his hearing did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. His right hand carpal tunnel syndrome claim had its initial evaluation increased to 30% effective September 23, 2017, but remains in appellate status due to lack of full grant of benefits sought.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been received. The case is remanded for further development, including a VA examination.