Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete evidence and will provide a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection for hypertension, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand three of the Veteran's claims: initial rating for a psychiatric disability, initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and TDIU. The decision also notes that there may be relevant SSA records not yet associated with the file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of tinnitus and there is an in-service event, as he was exposed to hazardous noise during his active duty as an aircraft fueler. The Board resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and grants service connection.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, as his hearing thresholds do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg neurological condition (right leg disability) is denied. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to a right leg neurological condition and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is remanded. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have a definitive diagnosis related to his right shoulder disability, and further examination is needed to determine if his pain in his right shoulder has caused a functional impairment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is remanded. The January 2018 VA medical opinion found that the Veteran's in-service low back strain is unrelated to the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease, as strains do not cause degenerative disc disease (DDD).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic dry mouth due to potential service connection issues related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, ulcers, and sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) and Total Disability Rating Based Upon Individual Unemployability due to Service-Connected Disabilities (TDIU).,The Veteran's last day of substantially gainful employment was May 11, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to this date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the appellant's unverified military service records. The AOJ is instructed to verify any service and provide the appellant with an opportunity to submit additional evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues including service connection for left elbow, knee, hip conditions and secondary service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of continuity or chronicity since service. The Board also found no direct evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's active duty service is noted, but his pre-existing conditions are under review.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from June 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to assess his hip disabilities. His claim for increased hearing loss remains denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee service connection issues have been withdrawn.,Service connection for cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorders, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss has been granted. Service connection for cervical spine arthritis, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right foot pes planus has been denied due to pre-existing conditions not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's left foot pes planus was found to have existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, as the Veteran died during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for flatfeet have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities meet the requirements of VA regulations and are related to in-service acoustic trauma.