Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a middle ear condition of the right ear, and tinnitus due to technical difficulties with previous hearings and issues obtaining necessary medical opinions/examinations.

The Board has decided that service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss requires further examination and review.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher initial rating for right hand thumb strain, service connection for right and left leg shin splints, and service connection for a skin disorder. The appeals for reopening service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted. Service connection was denied for headache disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumptively due to herbicide exposure in service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection for a disability manifested by photosensitivity in the eyes, left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and left ear swelling are denied. The Veteran has not been diagnosed with these conditions at any time related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, venous stasis skin changes, left lower leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depressive disorder, substance abuse) due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, with a presumption of aggravation due to noise exposure during active duty. The right ear hearing loss worsened during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. His bilateral hearing loss claim requires further examination due to inadequate rationale provided by the previous examiner.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and granted it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability were denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the right hip osteoarthritis secondary to knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to noise exposure during his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's current neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions are related to in-service injuries or exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and psychiatric disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with TDIU and permanent total disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headache, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to potential new evidence not previously considered. The Veteran's claim for migraine headache will be addressed further.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to obtain updated VA examination results.,Service connection for uncontrollable shaking and Parkinson's disease is denied as there is no established link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing average puretone thresholds of 36 decibels in the right ear and 44 decibels in the left ear. The Board finds that this level of hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal for entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from March 31, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied because the evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. His TDIU claim is also being referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.