Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of either ear, according to VA standards. The claims for increased evaluations for service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to document the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee strain is also remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability, low back disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, but the other issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and knee disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted. The remaining issues are being remanded due to lack of a current diagnosis or treatment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since July 3, 2014. The Board granted a partial increase in rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 13, 2020. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left hip disorder, sleep apnea, and hearing loss. The case of arthritis is dismissed as withdrawn.

The appeal for cerebrovascular accident and stroke was dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss being related to service, and thus denied both issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10% prior to February 18, 2019, and remains at 10% thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his military noise exposure and his claimed condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, but the right renal cell carcinoma claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, skin cancer, prostate disability, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The issues have been remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Meniere's syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively have been considered.

The Veteran's rhinitis/sinusitis is granted as presumptively related to his active duty service in Afghanistan. The claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle condition due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.