Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to November 19, 2013, and a rating in excess of 60 percent from April 24, 2018, for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The issue of service connection for skin cancer with scars is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to incomplete information in his service records, including missing National Guard duty records. The Veteran's current hearing loss is being reviewed again by a VA examiner to determine if it is related to his military service or noise exposure. For PTSD, the claim remains on appeal as the assigned rating does not reflect the maximum benefit allowable.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and heart disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to August 29, 2014, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss from August 29, 2014 to June 17, 2019 due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy were restored to 20% each, but the rating for the lumbar spine was reduced from 20% to 10%. The appeal for a higher rating for these conditions remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The cases of an acquired psychiatric disability, skin disability (dermatitis or eczema), gastrointestinal disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records from December 2018 to April 2021 and specifically requesting the June 11, 2014, VA audiology evaluation scanned image. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss on an aggravation basis and for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on all service-connected disabilities since August 14, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal should be re-docketed under the Legacy system and his March 2019 VA Form 10182 is accepted as a timely NOD for the issues on appeal. The Veteran must file a VA Form 9 substantive appeal to perfect his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorder due to insufficient examination reports. The VA audiologist is instructed to provide opinions on whether these conditions were caused by military acoustic trauma or in-service exposure to cold weather.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted as they are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and wound, right thigh with RFB were reopened and granted. The claim for colon cancer was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding a significant threshold shift in hearing loss of the right ear. The Veteran needs another VA examination to define what constitutes a 'significant' shift.

The appeal for residuals of a bruised kidney was dismissed. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of sinusitis.,Service connection was not granted for sinusitis as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service and continued through present day, granting service connection for this condition. The claims for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.