Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left ankle, sinusitis, and rhinitis disabilities. Additionally, new examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, CFS, and bilateral hearing disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder, including mesothelioma and asbestosis, is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if a TDIU should be granted for the period from March 12, 2010, to September 23, 2012, on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, cerebrovascular accident (claimed as mini strokes), bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records from the Veteran's new location in Florida.

The Veteran's claim of a TDIU prior to April 3, 2017 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities were not shown to prevent him from following or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to service and was caused by post-service noise exposure.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for vertigo. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent, with an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment shown in the left ear. Service connection for vertigo was also denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), sleep apnea, left hernia, and left groin pain have not been shown to be related to service.,Specifically, the evidence does not establish that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for left knee, upper back, and low back disabilities. The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria of a hearing impairment for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the decision on bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination and consideration of treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded both claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examination results and an etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's cardiac disability. The hearing loss claim is related to a compensable rating, while the cardiac disability claim involves service connection based on secondary exposure to chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to December 31, 2017 and initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The claim for service connection for euthyroid multinodular goiter with enlarged gland was also denied due to lack of evidence connecting the condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure in service. Service connection for hearing loss is remanded as the VA examination obtained in June 2018 was inadequate and there are no post-service records addressing the Veteran's claimed hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except facial scars have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The appeal for reopening/reconsideration of facial scars is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, claimed as right shoulder pain; dry eye syndrome; cataracts; and dental disability (teeth grinding) have been denied. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability has been reopened but not granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence indicating potential diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left eye photophobia, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The case of bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's left eye photophobia as there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that it preexisted service and the examiner found no aggravation during service.