Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA audiological examination, and further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Board has decided that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss, left hand condition, and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions addressing the etiology of his disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various orthopedic disorders and tinnitus, but the Board notes that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or noise exposure related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted service connection as it is linked to her active duty service.,Service connection for the low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to January 24, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from January 24, 2022, forward was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for a more recent VA audiological examination.,The Veteran's respiratory disability and headache disorder claims are remanded due to inadequate April 2018 VA examinations.,The Veteran's intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) claim is remanded for a thorough and well-reasoned opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his lower back disorder.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded for a nexus opinion, as the April 2018 VA examination was inadequate.,The Veteran's congestive heart failure claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the remanded hypertension and respiratory disorder claims.,The Veteran's bilateral eye disabilities claim is remanded for further evidentiary development based on his lay assertions regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination and additional analysis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hemorrhoids can be adjudicated. The AOJ must obtain service treatment records from the Army Reserves and National Guard periods of service, verify active duty for training and inactive duty training dates, and request surgical records from Fort Stewart.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of evidence showing aggravation during service. The case is remanded for a VA opinion on left ear hearing loss, which may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for brain aneurysm, CAD, diabetes, hearing loss, HTN, and prostate cancer due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The cause of death claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and lumbago (claimed as a thoracic and lumbar condition) are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination, and the right rotator cuff syndrome and right ankle condition are also remanded.

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 in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's service aboard the USS Coral Sea included presence within the territorial sea of the Republic of Vietnam, which would allow for presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The hearing loss case is also being remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for determining whether service connection is warranted for various disorders. The claims are therefore being remanded to obtain new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of right ear hearing loss or right eye disability meeting VA criteria, and the left varicocele did not show atrophy in both testes.