Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and for a rating in excess of 0 percent for hypertension.,Right ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment at separation. Hypertension did not manifest within one year after separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the February 2015 rating decision remained final due to the untimely filing of a VA Form 9.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding service exposure and the Veteran's own inconsistent statements. The issues are not resolved in favor of granting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss and concussion residuals are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was granted, effective January 23, 2017. The case is remanded for further development on other service connection claims.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board also remanded the remaining issues, including service connection for a neck disorder and higher ratings for various knee disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and granted.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is found to have begun during active service and granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, likely due to exposure to Agent Orange and UV light during active duty. The BHL claim remains pending as the evidence is not sufficient to determine its origin.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's skin cancer based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange. However, the cause of his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (BHL) could not be definitively determined.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain his VA treatment records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of neck disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a rating increase for tension headaches was granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically considering his testimony about when he first noticed hearing problems.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure. The decision does not address any other conditions or issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left elbow disability due to new examinations being required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (generalized anxiety disorder), memory loss, and erectile dysfunction. The skin disorder (tic) associated with generalized anxiety disorder is also granted on a secondary basis.,The Veteran's memory loss is found to be related to service-connected generalized anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to service.,A skin disorder (tic), which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, is also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss requires further evaluation due to inconsistencies in audiometric testing and a need for updated medical records. The case is being remanded to obtain these records, clarify audiometric measurements, and schedule an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, so his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate for adjudicative purposes and thus remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The remaining claims for bilateral hearing loss, mid/lower back disorder, right hand disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right forearm skin disability, and left shoulder malignant cancer. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of these conditions.