Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, Whipple's disease, a pancreatic condition, an autoimmune disease, and a gallbladder disorder are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need to consider service connection based on exposure to herbicides.,There is no evidence of service connection being sought in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of diabetes mellitus, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, remains pending and will be remanded for further review.

The reduction of the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective May 1, 2016, was not proper and is void ab initio. The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus and TDIU prior to June 29, 2010 is being remanded due to the need for further development.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the March 2015 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, as there was no diagnosis of hearing loss during or within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is less likely caused by military noise exposure.,Regarding tinnitus, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during service and has persisted since then.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis. The claims regarding the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis and low back condition are remanded for de novo review on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for low back condition. The claims regarding the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis and low back condition are remanded for de novo review on the merits.,The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg condition is remanded.,The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left ear hearing loss prior to November 4, 2020 and bilateral hearing loss from November 4, 2020. The decision found that the Veteran had Level I hearing loss in both ears, which did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0%) due to Level I hearing in each ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss may be related to service, and a remand is needed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to May 20, 2015 is granted. The COPD rating issue from October 4, 2013 is remanded due to an inaccurate SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU prior to December 28, 2011, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities under both the former and revised rating criteria.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70% disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, effective January 1, 2019, as there was no material improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, hip disabilities, neck and shoulder/arm disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and TDIU. The Board has previously remanded several of these issues due to the need for additional development, particularly regarding in-service treatment records at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. These issues are now being remanded again.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to issues with the previous medical opinions and lack of proper consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, right ear hearing loss, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and hormonal deficiency syndrome have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service beyond its natural progression. For his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, there was no credible evidence showing continuity of symptoms from separation until diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and consideration of evidence, including private treatment records.