Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and he needs a new evaluation to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining audiometric testing results from a June 19, 2015 VA audiology note and any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's skin disorder claim has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The hearing loss rating for the period prior to December 21, 2012, is denied. For the period on or after December 21, 2012, a higher rating than 60 percent is not warranted. The TDIU claim has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and his back disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and withdrawn issues related to superficial scars, cellulitis, painful scar, radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, muscle damage, rib cage, hypertension, and service connection. The appeal is REMANDED for further examinations and determinations regarding PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar strain, TBI, and ear disorder.

The Veteran's vertigo was granted service connection, while a rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not require regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss disabilities, as well as the compensable rating for those disabilities. The application to reopen claims for residuals of cold weather injury, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology due to a lack of adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and hearing loss disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on the basis that they were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis should be restored, and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

All initial claims for increased ratings were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal. The restoration of a 50% rating for major depressive disorder was granted effective December 1, 2015. Earlier effective dates of May 22, 2014 were granted for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence of current disability. The claims for loss of sense of smell, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete service personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hearing loss, but remanded the issue of service connection for hypothyroidism due to lack of relevant VA treatment records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam.