Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA needs to obtain medical records, determine the standard of measurement used in the entrance examination, and provide a retrospective opinion on the etiology of any ear condition.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran submitted statements indicating exposure to noise during service, but this was considered cumulative of previous evidence.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ear otitis media, and an acquired psychiatric disability are reopened. The claim for service connection for TBI is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss worsened during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, eczematoid dermatitis, chronic, feet; service connection for a respiratory condition; left hip condition; left knee condition; and hemorrhoids. The Veteran has challenged the competency of VA examiners who have administered examinations during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating increases as well as a claim for TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear as there is no current diagnosis of such disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a C-section, including a painful scar is reopened. Service connection for tinnitus and PTSD are granted with a 70% rating. The appeal regarding the bilateral foot disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for COPD and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for his asbestosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is granted due to presumed exposure during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. However, the claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, hearing loss, and hepatitis C due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative disc disease before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the cases of right and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis of the left knee and his claim for service connection for pruritis have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash of the scrotum has been reopened, but not granted. The evidence received since the November 2006 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to establish the claim (a diagnosis of a skin rash and reports of treatment for the same in service and since that time).,The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder (alcohol use disorder/unspecified depressive disorder), right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, allergies/rhinitis, persistent diarrhea, and migraine headaches are all remanded for further development as specified in the decision.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss increased rating claim will be reconsidered with these additional documents.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating since September 17, 2009. The issue of TDIU due to PTSD is moot as the Veteran already receives a 100% schedular rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, including right knee, left knee, bilateral hand and back disabilities. The VA will conduct further examinations and obtain medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for residuals of a left leg fracture has been dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50 percent rating prior to March 16, 2022. His bilateral hearing loss remains denied.