Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim is being returned for further review and a supplemental medical advisory opinion.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support their occurrence during or as a result of active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,Multiple issues related to hearing loss, eye injuries, back disorders, sciatica, foot problems, shoulder conditions, sleep apnea, hypertension, liver and kidney disorders, respiratory conditions, skin conditions, and athlete's foot have been identified. The Veteran will be scheduled for further evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded due to lack of supporting evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The appeal was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to issues with credibility of statements and lack of consideration of delayed onset hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is granted, and the appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo/dizziness are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, including an audiogram for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service-connected tinnitus.

The earlier effective date for a 30% rating for hearing loss is dismissed.,The previously denied claim for severe skin diseases has been reopened, but the issue of an earlier effective date remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus type II, bladder cancer, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II.,The earlier effective date for the hearing loss rating remains unresolved.,The previously denied claim for severe skin diseases has been reopened, but an earlier effective date issue remains unresolved.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which was denied in a previous decision and remanded multiple times.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in April 1994, but he filed an informal claim on November 13, 2012. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cervical spine disability was granted with an effective date of November 13, 2012. However, the Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted due to lack of evidence showing worsening prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete audiometric records and a need for an addendum opinion. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently established, but there are questions about its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his neck and back disabilities is denied. The Veteran was not granted a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, and the VA adjudicators determined that he did not meet the criteria for increased ratings for his neck and back disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current hearing loss and his military service or noise exposure therein. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted from January 24, 2018, to June 15, 2022. A rating of more than 10 percent since June 16, 2022, is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a rating of 30 percent, effective January 25, 2022. Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 10 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neuropathic pain syndrome is granted as service connected due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for IBS prior to June 19, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter has been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for left hip arthritis, groin disorder manifested by pain, and tinnitus. The Veteran is awaiting additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his reduced sense of smell, obstructive sleep apnea, and hearing loss.