Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied both claims.,The Veteran sought higher ratings for his left ear hearing loss and right shoulder strain, but the evidence did not support a higher rating in either case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to November 18, 2013. The Board found no evidence of increased impairment or findings suggestive of a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate consideration of certain medical opinions and examinations in the original decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about the qualifications of the examiners and possible worsening symptoms. The Veteran's effective date claim is denied as there are no documents prior to September 29, 2017 that can be construed as an intent to file a claim to reopen or as a claim to reopen service connection for asbestosis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and its relation to service. An additional examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss in addition to right ear hearing loss, and whether it is at least as likely as not that any hearing loss for VA purposes is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, CAD, BHL, tinnitus, and hypertension. The effective date assigned in January 2018 rating decision was October 10, 2014.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for headaches, lower extremity arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and a female reproductive disorder are denied. The right wrist disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to June 16, 2021, and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support an increased rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including for service connection claims related to bilateral foot conditions, bilateral ankle conditions, pseudofolliculitis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy is denied as not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's memory loss is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral elbow condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis (claimed as a respiratory condition) is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's OSA is remanded for further evaluation and determination of its etiology.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation and determination of their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and hairy cell leukemia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, initial ratings for left knee conditions, and a TDIU prior to August 13, 2002. The issues are being remanded due to requests from the Veteran's attorney for examiner CVs and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for the other conditions are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of consideration of relevant evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of an earlier claim being received by VA.

Service connection for PTSD due to MST has been granted.,Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as left ear hearing loss, are denied. The Board found no current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination and medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to active duty service.

The Board has found that the remand instructions for obtaining VA examinations concerning the Veteran's hearing loss and legs have not been completed as directed. As such, another remand is necessary.