Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for his lumbar spine disability was not granted, and he did not receive a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. Service connection was granted for left ear hearing loss but not for cervical or bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for prostate cancer residuals are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence and need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for verification of National Guard service periods. The Appellant's conditions are being evaluated based on their onset during active duty training.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, residuals of skin cancer, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his service connection claim for Barrett's Esophagus is remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and denied service connection for dental trauma (missing teeth) for compensation purposes. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral vision loss, to include as secondary to service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (IVDS, spinal stenosis), lumbosacral radiculitis of the left and right lower extremities, all secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not caused by his in-service noise exposure, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's audiometric results did not warrant a higher rating based on the VA examination findings and the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to noise exposure during service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure have been considered, and his lay testimony provides a sufficient basis to conclude that his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for frostbite of the bilateral hands, left ear hearing loss, dislocated fingers, and scoliosis due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for neck disability, left ankle disability, bilateral shin splints, and left toe disability are denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, alopecia areata (hair loss), dizziness, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, non-specific arthritis (claimed as joint pain, muscle pain, and painful joints), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), shortness of breath, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure and his already service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for dermatophytosis and tinea pedis due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service ear condition and exposure to herbicides. The TDIU and cause of death issues are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to the need for updated VA treatment records, a new VA examination for hearing loss, and an addendum opinion regarding hypertension.