Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the relationship between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and remand issues must be addressed due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to noise exposure during military service. The Veteran's reported history of noise exposure is considered, along with his self-reported onset of symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the compensation rating for his bilateral hearing loss, indicating satisfaction with his current VA disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it for further development.,The Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disability claims have also been reopened, with both being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and PTSD for further development due to the Veteran's failure to respond to VA examination requests. The AOJ should seek clarification from the Veteran regarding his wishes on these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 50%, 70%, and 80% from June 27, 2011 to December 3, 2013; December 4, 2013 to November 30, 2017, and December 1, 2017 to the present respectively. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria for a diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability for VA purposes, but did not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for service connection for dizziness and balance problems, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, and right hip disability are denied as they are found to be related to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete development of records, including VA and private treatment records. The issues include PTSD, neuropsychiatric condition, back disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as his right and left ear hearing loss are manifested by Level I or Level III impairment bilaterally.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. Service connection for diabetes mellitus was also granted with a rating of 20 percent prior to April 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to July 25, 2019 and from July 25, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has found the preponderance of evidence against a finding that the Veteran has a current heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, or diabetic edema. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and development.