Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, with the former being granted. The claim for sleep apnea remains closed as no new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection is denied for a bilateral foot condition (heel spurs and plantar fasciitis), as there is insufficient evidence to establish that the condition had its onset in service or is causally related to any incident of service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's balance issues are related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and if not, any other separate disabilities that may be associated with it.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The diagnoses are COPD with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss respectively.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it did not find a causal relationship between the condition and military service, nor was there evidence of a compensable degree of disability within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded to allow for verification of his National Guard service and associated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disability, a back disability, and bilateral leg numbness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an increased rating for his postoperative acromioclavicular separation, right shoulder. The evidence did not support a finding of current right ear hearing loss disability or that the Veteran had a right shoulder disability to a degree warranting higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions began during or are causally related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for a heart disorder, to include ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities remains remanded due to additional evidence needing consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation at any point during the appeals period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to his active duty service. However, it denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service. The decision also reopened a previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The hearing loss disability and ingrown toenails are denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.,Service connection for bilateral ingrown toenails involving the big toe is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, left shoulder DJD, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral disorder with degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his scar left index finger is currently rated as noncompensable after January 24, 2020.,The Veteran's scar left index finger was previously rated under diagnostic code 7805. After January 24, 2020, it is rated as 10 percent disabling under diagnostic code 7804.,Both ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss and increasing disability ratings for various hip and scar conditions. Additional records are needed from the Air Force Reserve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU.