Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran needs to provide results from an audiological evaluation, and he also needs an updated examination to determine if he has left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his ear pain, which may be a symptom of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. If found to be so, the claim will be referred for consideration of an extra-schedular rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied.,Service connection for colon cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer were all denied.,Service connection for left knee disorder and right knee disorder were both denied.,Service connection for a left ankle disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The right ankle disability, excluding surgical periods, is denied an increased rating to more than 20 percent. The left lower extremity radiculitis (femoral) is granted a 20 percent initial rating. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss has been denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to August 8, 2011.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with anxiety is denied as there is no evidence of an informal claim prior to August 8, 2011.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss, left ankle sprain residuals, bilateral neurologic disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied. For the period from December 20, 2012 to June 16, 2017, a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD was granted but not for the entire appeal period as some issues were remanded. Service connection claims for hand tremors and vision disorder are pending.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in both ears, finding that the current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including gout, a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart problems, hemorrhoids, scars on the arms, and scars on the legs. The Veteran's service treatment records are not available, and efforts should be made to obtain them from appropriate agencies.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Specifically, VA needs to obtain updated service treatment records and conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied for a compensable rating prior to March 10, 2018 and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development. The effective date of benefits is not addressed in this decision.

The Board granted service connection for low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mesothelioma, an abnormal heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, hypertension, metabolic syndrome to include insulin resistant disorder and/or diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and depression secondary to medical condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for an ear disability. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50% rating effective October 1, 2009. The effective date for convalescence extension was extended to September 30, 2009.,A temporary total disability rating for PTSD is granted from June 29, 2009, to September 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for tumors of the left ear and jaw, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Regarding bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's disability rating remains noncompensable. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s hearing loss does not impact ordinary conditions of daily life or work.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the appeal is remanded.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart damage was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on the objective audiometric test results.