Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and skin disorder were reopened due to new and material evidence. The rating reductions for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, ocular hypertension, and low back disorder were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are linked to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded for a new VA examination regarding his left thigh strain.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating may be warranted. The VA examinations for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and hearing loss are needed to determine their current severity. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent effective August 13, 2012. The cause of death due to hypertension and congestive heart failure is remanded for a medical opinion on whether it was related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting audiometric test results and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's allergies are considered to be related to his service-connected alopecia areata.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in unemployability due to their combined rating of 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that the evidence does not show an inability to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and IHD are granted service connection, while COPD and NHL are denied. The Board also found that the evidence is in equipoise for service connection of hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues of tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss and has determined that he is entitled to this benefit based on noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not require aid and attendance or render him housebound, so his claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his current combined evaluation of 100 percent and lack of qualifying conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened, and his VA needs to reassess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a February 2019 statement.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service, as it did not manifest during or within one year after separation and is otherwise unrelated to in-service noise exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and nose and left hand scars, was granted. The effective date of the increased rating for PTSD is denied.