Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration. For left ear hearing loss, the Veteran contends it is due to noise exposure during service. The VA examiner opined that it is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of noise exposure while in service. However, a new opinion is needed regarding this issue. For peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the Veteran claims it is related to his prostate cancer. A new opinion is also needed on whether it was proximately due to or the result of his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right lower extremity disability, skin disorder, and respiratory condition are all granted as service-connected. The respiratory condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to incomplete information, including outstanding SSA records and a need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the schedular ratings adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, chronic kidney disease, hydronephrosis as a residual of UPJ obstruction, and aseptic meningitis. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, disability ratings for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle fracture. The reasons are that no VA examiner has adequately opined whether the Veteran’s hearing loss is related to exposure to excessive jet engine noise during active duty service, and a new examination must be obtained to determine this relationship. Additionally, examinations are needed to assess the current severity of each disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent and there is no indication of nasal polyps. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran's eustachian tube dysfunction with ear infections and hearing loss has been rated as level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its limited extent of involvement on his body.,Service connection was granted for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis, but neither condition has been rated as it is unclear if they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities; bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus; PTSD; and an eye disability. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for clarification regarding audiometric data at 3,000 Hertz during service separation.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include residuals of tuberculosis, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions addressing the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and a back disability due to incomplete records and lack of VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for tension headaches has been granted to 50 percent, effective February 7, 2019. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss remains at a noncompensable rating prior to February 7, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to noncompensable, effective April 1, 2018, was improper and the 30 percent rating has been restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to link any hearing loss to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not manifested to a degree that warrants a compensable rating for any period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received since the July 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The case must be returned for an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements about military noise exposure.