Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension due to issues with obtaining SSA records, VA examinations not providing adequate reasons or bases, and unclear discussions of the presumption of soundness. The case is being returned to the Board for compliance with these directives.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis. The right ear hearing loss claim is being remanded due to a need for a more current VA examination. The left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and allergic rhinitis claims are also being remanded as the Veteran testified that his conditions have worsened.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and hypertension, finding that these conditions manifested within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 30 percent since then. For his knee disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent based on limitation of flexion has been granted for each knee up to April 30, 2021.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as whether it is related to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if he has current hearing loss that meets VA criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for post traumatic grand mal seizures, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and aid and attendance allowance for spouse as they have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The TDIU issue is remanded due to lack of employment history and need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having sufficient hearing loss in either ear. The claims of service connection for hypertension and a respiratory condition, as well as right elbow and neck conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher SMC rates was denied as he did not meet the criteria for additional disabilities that would warrant a higher level of SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he was attending school and had legal issues preventing employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of rating and service connection remain pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen his claims for left ear hearing loss and bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, but has also determined that additional examinations are needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board denied service connection for a pulmonary disability, including residuals of pneumonia. The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed and the decision became final.,New evidence received since the denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for cervical spine disability and memory loss have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding service connection for various conditions and increased ratings, including bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, headaches, heart disability, GERD, somatic symptom disorder/unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure.,His bilateral foot disability is linked to service due to chronic use of ill-fitting combat boots.

Service connection for type 2 diabetes, as secondary to an in-service exposure to Agent Orange, has been granted.,Service connection for RLE peripheral neuropathy and LLE peripheral neuropathy, both considered secondary to service-connected type 2 diabetes, have also been granted.