Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded.,A VA examination or medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for an eye injury has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable disability evaluation for left shoulder scars associated with chronic left shoulder strain have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for chronic left shoulder strain, recurrent subluxation of scapulohumeral joint, and extension of temporary total disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatism, arthritis, hearing loss, respiratory disability (pneumonia, pleural effusion, tuberculosis), atherosclerotic aorta, headaches, and anemia, finding no evidence of radiation exposure or other link to service.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus prior to January 25, 2021 is denied. An increased disability rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus effective January 25, 2021 is granted. Service connection for a back condition and a bilateral knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye open angle glaucoma, right ear hearing loss, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.,The Veteran served in the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty. However, exposure to Agent Orange does not constitute an 'injury' because it did not involve any application of external force or violence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 9, 2017, through March 13, 2017. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and right-hand disability due to new evidence indicating worsening of his conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and progression of his foot condition during service.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for asbestosis is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.,The Veteran's claim for a heart disorder is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus is also remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.,The Veteran's claim for stress fractures is also remanded as there are outstanding VA treatment records that may be relevant to his case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for her service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that her hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ear hearing loss, memory loss disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and bilateral shoulder strain have been denied. However, service connection has been granted for right and left shoulder strain.

Service connection for hypertension is granted, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a heart disability was withdrawn and dismissed.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for COPD, lung cancer, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis (psoriatic arthritis), left knee disability, and right knee disability. These claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeal for a heart disability was dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA audiological examinations. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were granted with an effective date of May 12, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $16,575.66 was proper.

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.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the left ear is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The Board found that his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a rating in excess of this amount.