Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran argues that he should have been granted service connection for lumbar sprain and hearing loss as early as 1965 based on his STRs showing these conditions existed in service. The Board finds the RO's failure to adjudicate this CUE claim was an error and remands the matter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, left knee strain, and left knee instability are dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The cases for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable during the appeal period, and thus he is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma and onset in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the issues of higher initial ratings for service-connected bilateral knee disability, migraine variants, and bilateral hearing loss as well as service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for right elbow lateral epicondylitis and left elbow lateral epicondylitis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Service connection for depression is also remanded due to conflicting diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, but denied the Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and insomnia.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for left hand crush injury is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to continuous symptoms since service and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The appeal for service connection for alopecia areata is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral dry eye syndrome with vision impairment scars are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to obtain relevant audiograms and treatment records, as well as an inadequate VA examination opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, total right and left knee replacements, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion complications, painful middle back scar, and scars of the knees, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. A TDIU is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbosacral strain, bilateral cataracts, hearing loss, skin rash, chronic sinusitis, gastrointestinal disability (IBS), headaches, and allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle condition is denied due to lack of current diagnosis and recovery from prior injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right trigger finger condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not show it is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The TDIU claim was granted due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony and service treatment records.

The claim for a higher disability rating for general anxiety disorder is dismissed. The claims of service connection for left hip disorder, hearing loss disorder, intermittent ventricular arrhythmia, and status post appendectomy residuals are granted for readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was denied, and the Board found that no effective date prior to May 30, 2019 is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the cause of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, headaches, sinus disability, respiratory disability, balance disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral hearing loss due to a duty to assist error in obtaining service records.