Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's hepatitis claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hepatitis.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his hearing loss began during service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's personality disorder and low sex drive claims are withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's balance issue claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim is remanded as VA records need to be obtained and a medical opinion provided regarding its onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his diabetes mellitus claim.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim is withdrawn by the appellant.,The Veteran's narcolepsy claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's insomnia claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his back and left knee disability claims.,The Veteran's chronic fatigue claim is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disability (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) claim.,The Veteran's back disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical questions and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his combined rating is at least 70%.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but has remanded the cases of hypothyroidism and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and a right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed to have current disabilities, but his service connection claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 10, 2021 was denied. For the period from November 10, 2021 onwards, his disability rating was increased to 10 percent and is still in effect.

The Board has found that further development of the medical evidence is required to determine if an earlier effective date prior to April 26, 2017 for the increased evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent are warranted.

Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a lost sense of smell is granted.,Service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.,The Veteran's hypertension and renal cell carcinoma are remanded for further review.,The Veteran's renal cell carcinoma may be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and bilateral hearing loss due to potential new diagnoses or evidence not previously considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, heart disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's subjective reports of in-service noise exposure and subsequent hearing loss are credible. The evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss began during service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The character of discharge from service is not considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, left knee limitation of extension, right ankle arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including exposure to noise. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA examinations and further development regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left shoulder disability and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran is seeking a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for prostate cancer/prostate condition. The Veteran's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed, but further examination is needed to determine if his current prostate cancer is related.,Service connection for colon cancer is also granted based on presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, a VA examination is required to assess the relationship between the Veteran's current condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination to determine if he currently has a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.