Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral onychomycosis and bilateral hearing loss due to ambiguity in the type of medications used for treatment, lack of clarity regarding exposure basis, and need for updated medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is requested to provide any outstanding private or VA treatment records and undergo a VA examination with an audiologist.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus disability is granted as service connection due to the onset in service and persistence since.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, numbness in left hand, right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that a compensable rating prior to March 13, 2018, and a 10 percent rating from March 13, 2018, to October 29, 2020, were not supported by the evidence. A 30 percent rating since October 29, 2020, was granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness secondary to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are attributed to age-related factors rather than in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service connected since June 7, 2013. A compensable rating for the bilateral hearing loss prior to September 20, 2021 is denied and a rating in excess of 50 percent from that date is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tension headaches, lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right knee strain, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of hearing loss, tinnitus, an eye condition, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of all conditions does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The conditions are deemed to have their onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no etiological relationship between the origin of these disabilities and military service.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and new and material evidence claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to incomplete examination and need for an etiological opinion regarding any hearing loss shown during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and a separate rating for tinnitus in October 1971, finding that there was no evidence of brain trauma required under Diagnostic Code 8045.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a pilonidal cyst, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, skin disability other than a pilonidal cyst, and back disability.,Service connection was established for tinnitus due to exposure to noise during service. Residuals of the pilonidal cyst were also granted as it had its onset during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for a left knee condition is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and increased rating are not addressed as the appeal is closed.