Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. The examiner is requested to provide a comprehensive opinion on whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are currently rated as noncompensable. The cervical spine, bilateral hip, shoulder, hand, foot, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities have not been service connected.,The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine, bilateral hip, shoulder, hand, foot, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities are related to his INACDUTRA or aggravated by a preexisting right knee disability.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and asbestos exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence not being material.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and painful scars of the left arm. His TDIU claim is granted effective July 1, 2021.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the current hearing loss is not causally related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has not more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable evaluation when mechanically applying the diagnostic criteria to the audiological testing results, and his complaint of difficulty hearing is contemplated by the rating schedule.,The Board finds that the evidence does not show that the U.S.S. Enterprise was in the 12 nautical mile territorial sea of Vietnam from May 1967 to March 20, 1968, which would trigger VA's duty to assist him by providing him a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss condition.

The Board has decided that service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left-hand disability, right-hand disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and missing non-VA medical records. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to continuous post-service symptoms and the presumption of exposure to noise during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, and he is also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is dismissed.,The claim to reopen the previously denied prostate cancer status post TURP service connection is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is dismissed because it was already pending under another AMA appeal stream. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for asthma with emphysema/COPD and TDIU are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and Meniere's syndrome, BPPV, and central vestibular dysfunction dizziness due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran needs further examinations to address inconsistencies in previous examination results.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete service treatment records and missing medical evidence. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, VA treatment records, and any relevant prison and private care records must be obtained.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the disability rated at noncompensable (0%) due to no worse than Level II hearing loss in both ears.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent prior to May 25, 2021. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for astigmatism in the left eye was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.