Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for vertigo and hearing loss, as there is confusion in the record regarding their nature.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, effective September 1, 2016. The reduction from 50% to 20% was remanded due to procedural violations and a need for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because a new VA examination is needed, as well as any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current evaluation adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, bilateral knee joint pain, back joint pain, and bilateral hip joint pain due to a lack of evidence in the record. The RO did not consider the Veteran's combat status during service or his military occupation specialty as a cavalry scout.

The Veteran's 40 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was restored due to the failure of the RO to consider the full history and all examinations in reducing the rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, the lowest possible rating. The Board found that his hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating based on functional impact and current VA examination results.

The Veteran's claim for skin rash, groin area is reopened and remanded. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, left and right ankle disabilities, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential issues with the adequacy of previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's GERD is not related to service and was not diagnosed until after service.,The Veteran's lower back disability did not have its onset in service or since, and is not linked to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The condition may be exacerbated by the Veteran's nightmares related to his PTSD.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of left ear hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing impairment is causally related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to additional VA examination and opinion being necessary.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 23, 2018 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not file a Notice of Disagreement regarding the rating assigned for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus the Board does not have jurisdiction over this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the claim of left-sided hearing loss due to lack of a current disability.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the Board denied both DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, are rated at the lowest possible levels. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the Board finding that the Veteran's testimony supported a link to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further examination and opinion. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions provided in his March 2015 VA examinations.