Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has found the VA examination insufficient for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo, thus remanding these issues.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury to the left and right foot. The lumbar spine disorder issue remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these issues before a decision was made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have resulted in his need for aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to missing audiogram and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service, leading to a denial of his claim. The Court has now ordered remand due to an error in the February 2016 rating decision regarding missing audiometric records from VA Medical Center Pittsburgh.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of the disability. Updated VA treatment records are also required.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claims for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities is also service connected.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that his hypertension or cardiovascular-renal disease (including hypertension) began in service.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's tinnitus was also denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, but the issues of service connection for other conditions are still pending. The TDIU claim must be remanded until these service connection claims are resolved.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing difficulties are not related to his time in service and are more likely due to post-service occupation as a strip miner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss as additional development is needed due to technical issues with the transcript of his April 2018 hearing, unclear notification regarding a July 2017 VA examination, and the Veteran's failure to report for that examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as an adjustment disorder with depression, is dismissed without prejudice.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability is denied. The evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 60 degrees or a combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine of 120 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss since April 22, 2015 is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied in an August 2010 rating decision. The Veteran did not appeal this decision or submit new and material evidence within one year of the decision.,New and material evidence was submitted since the August 2010 rating decision but it was found to be redundant and not related to any unestablished facts, thus not raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but service connection remains denied.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder arthritis and leg pain as these conditions are not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Service connection is also denied.,Headaches and PTSD are not etiologically related to the Veteran’s active duty service.,Service connection for depression has been granted with staged initial ratings from October 2, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are attributable to active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for narcolepsy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral wrist disability, depression, hypertension and abnormal heartbeat, left ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches.