Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left knee disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his active military service.,There is no medical evidence showing a chronic left knee disorder during or within one year after service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for a left knee disorder, and he was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease over fifty years after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further action regarding his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, including on the basis of disabilities affecting a single body system (orthopedic), during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied, but a 30 percent evaluation for PFB based on scars or disfigurement of the neck from May 16, 2013 to October 7, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed. The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded, as well as the issue of individual unemployability.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from January 1, 2021 onward due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the TDIU claim for the period March 19, 2012 to November 24, 2019 is denied as he had substantially gainful employment during this time.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are denied as not being related to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service connected, but the initial rating for hearing loss remains remanded due to worsening of symptoms.

The appeal for reopening the tinea pedis claim is dismissed. The bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracic spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran's service connection requests are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, with the most recent audiometric evaluations showing levels II in both ears. The Board finds that a compensable rating for this disability is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased rating for PTSD, prostate cancer, and hearing loss due to incomplete consideration of evidence and need for clarification regarding active disease status.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and stage III kidney failure have been remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current hearing loss is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm pain and weakness, dry eye syndrome as a residual of TBI, bilateral hearing loss as a residual of TBI, tinnitus as a residual of TBI, vertigo as a residual of TBI, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder) as a residual of TBI have been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right 5th metacarpal disability is not associated with the newly diagnosed conditions.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The issue of service connection for respiratory difficulties as due to Gulf War syndrome has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a functional gastrointestinal disorder, is granted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.,Service connection for hernia (claimed as abdominal discomfort) as secondary to irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, left knee disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.