Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and missing service records. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again for possible service connection.

The Veteran's service records do not show any hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA examiner concluded that the current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to workplace noise exposure, aging, and other factors.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is denied as there is no evidence of chronic in-service disease or a compensable degree within the presumptive period. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy of the lower extremities is granted.,Service connection for left hand strain, left arm condition, right thigh pain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (to include as secondary to service-connected conditions), and right hand pain (to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine) are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding restoration of a 40 percent rating for a lumbosacral spine disability. The service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete information about his National Guard and Reserve service, the need for medical opinions regarding spinal disorders, hearing loss/tinnitus, left ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders, as well as further development of employment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability, and the evidence does not establish a nexus to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 1, 2016. The Board has now determined that the earlier effective date of November 1, 2010 should be granted as part of the initial increased rating claim for PTSD.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss disability due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to an in-service football head injury.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred during his active military service and has continued to the present, granting entitlement to service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for PTSD has been granted.,The claim for Erectile Dysfunction has also been granted. However, the claim for Bilateral Hearing Loss is being remanded as there are inconsistencies in the audiometric testing data provided.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU effective November 16, 2020. The appeal is remanded for consideration of TDIU prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus rendered him unemployable prior to August 5, 2011. The Board has determined that there is a reasonable possibility of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal issues, as well as psychiatric disorders. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss due to a lack of an adequate examination considering his in-service noise exposure. The case will be returned to the Board after further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent disability rating.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's left patellofemoral pain syndrome with shin pain most closely approximates the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating.