Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to a lack of recent VA audiological examinations and an inaccurate history of symptom onset.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep disability (to include as secondary to PTSD) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to December 6, 2021, and a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for Meniere's disease as secondary to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder, including compound myopia astigmatism and presbyopia, is not service-connected as it is considered a congenital or developmental defect.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have hearing loss within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service.,Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have tinnitus within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current tinnitus disability is related to service.,The acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.,Hypertension was not shown to be related to service. The Veteran did not have hypertension within one year of separation from service nor does the evidence support a finding that his current hypertension disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for latent tuberculosis, eye disabilities, bilateral leg pain, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the Board has remanded this issue.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for a vestibular disorder is also remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no more than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level II in the left ear.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board found that the Veteran required only restricted diet and an oral glycemic agent during the period on appeal.,Prior to March 6, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis (10% rating). Beginning March 6, 2015, it is now rated as 20% disabling for moderate incomplete paralysis.,Prior to March 6, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis (10% rating). Beginning March 6, 2015, it is now rated as 20% disabling for moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active duty service. The left ear hearing loss was found to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure due to potential asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensably disabling, with the highest level of hearing impairment (Level I) in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain. The claims for right ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea, finding no evidence of current disabilities. The low back and neck disorders are remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as the weight of evidence did not support a finding that his current condition is related to active duty or service-connected disabilities.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding no evidence supporting higher ratings based on the Veteran's symptoms and medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential secondary causes. The case is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2021 was denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of an examiner's opinion regarding the appellant's bilateral hearing loss. The examiner did not consider conversion from ASA to ISO-ANSI units, transcribed data incorrectly, and did not discuss certain service department testing results.