Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's meniscal tear of the left knee is granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective October 4, 2016. The Veteran's hearing loss from February 10, 2017 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the worsening of his bilateral hearing loss, which impacts his ability to work. Additionally, a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss rating claim.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a cholecystectomy has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, PTSD due to MST, residuals of a broken nose, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2014. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims of reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, a bilateral hand disability, and hepatitis C due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Board denied service connection for a brain injury, finding that the Veteran's claim is not supported by evidence of in-service injury or aggravation. The appeal was also denied for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to multiple disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the case for recurrent lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted due to continuous post-service symptoms that can be attributed to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, specifically in-service noise exposure. A new VA opinion must be obtained addressing the conflicting findings of an IOM study.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been diagnosed under VA regulations, but the examiner suggests a new examination may show it is now considered a disability. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all nine issues is remanded due to incomplete factual predicates and the need for new VA opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent from May 16, 2015 to March 30, 2018. The Board denied an increased rating for the period prior to and after these dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, including as related to parachute jumping and noise exposure during military service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and ratings in excess of 20 percent, 30 percent, or compensable for various conditions. The RO granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, so these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to incomplete records. Specifically, the full results of the audiogram conducted in August 2013 need to be obtained from VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.