Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate as he does not have a single disability rated at 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds a remand necessary to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination in order to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board finds a remand necessary for a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, given his reported symptoms since the last examination.,The Veteran contends he has a penile disorder related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if such condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has bilateral knee disorders related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, as well as whether it is related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has a skin disorder of the right foot (onychomycosis) and bilateral pes planus that are related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if such conditions had their onset in or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran contends he has bilateral pes planus that are related to military service. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and severity of his disability, as well as whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted service connection, while the respiratory condition and skin condition are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied, and the issue of service connection for psychiatric disorder as secondary to TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,Hereditary angioedema is determined to be due to in-service exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE).,Bilateral hearing loss is not considered as likely caused by in-service noise exposure, and the relationship with TCE exposure remains unclear.,Crohn's disease is found to be related to in-service exposure to TCE. The Veteran's bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax case requires further examination for a rating determination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The SSOC will consider all submitted evidence before a final decision is made.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for clarification on whether the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss, as defined by VA. The case will be readjudicated after further development.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the prior remand and thus the case is being returned to the RO for further action, including obtaining a new VA examination and attempting to obtain private medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, as there are insufficient medical records to make a determination on service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed. The Board has remanded multiple issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disorder, bilateral eye disorder, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), headache disorder, thyroid disorder, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The Veteran's hypertension appeal is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is also not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for a contemporaneous VA audiological examination. The Veteran is also advised to provide any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as it requires additional development, including obtaining employment information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent effective October 8, 2022. Prior to this date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as the current VA examinations are inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that his hearing acuity meets or exceeds the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's testimony indicating that his hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination. The Veteran is also granted service connection for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance/housebound status is remanded due to insufficient explanation of functional impairments attributable solely to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also has a nonservice-connected condition (Parkinson's disease) that affects his ability to perform daily activities.

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