Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has reopened the appellant's previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence received since the last denial supports reopening the claim. However, the Board found no evidence to support a finding that the appellant's current hearing loss disability began during his qualifying ACDUTRA period or was related to any injury or disease incurred or aggravated during this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in a final rating decision. New evidence received since the denial, including VA and private treatment records, has reopened his claim but it remains denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or other link to service.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's headaches are granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected sinusitis. His left knee arthritis is granted on a direct basis, and his bilateral hearing loss remains at 0 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to conflicting audiometric findings. Further VA audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficiently documented attempts to obtain updated VA treatment records for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development and consideration, including the submission of a VA Form 21-8940 to evaluate his disability picture throughout the period on appeal. The RO must consider referral to the Director of Compensation Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service records show he had normal hearing at the time of his induction, but may have experienced hearing loss in upper frequencies during service. His post-service VA treatment records indicate he has mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that another medical opinion by an ENT specialist is needed to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet schedular criteria for a TDIU, and thus referred the matter to VA's Director of Compensation Service for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer due to inadequate medical opinions. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather about the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to new evidence received since his last VA Form 9. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, specifically the conceded herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss (BHL) is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be further developed and a new medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease (CAD) have been denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is correct, and a higher disability rating for CAD status-post myocardial infarction is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and in-service noise exposure or other events.

The Veteran's left hand fracture, status post fusions of the 4th and 5th carpometacarpal joints is granted a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is also granted as of December 20, 2021.