Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied because there was no in-service auditory injury, which means he did not meet the second prong of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability and several other conditions are denied service connection. The remaining claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with pure tone thresholds at each of the four specified frequencies being within normal limits. The Board finds that an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2001 for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim was not previously denied and he submitted a formal claim on May 29, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service. The Veteran needs to provide release forms for his outpatient clinic records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board denied an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as service connection was not established due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards for a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no nexus between in-service noise exposure and the current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs and SPRs. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and attempt to verify the Veteran’s claimed stressors.,VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right and left foot calluses.

The Veteran's service-connected Ménière’s syndrome is rated at 60 percent prior to September 28, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hand disorder, and left ankle disorder have been granted. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered service-connected due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation from service. The left hand disorder is also considered service-connected as it is a chronic disease that developed within one year of separation from service. However, the left ankle disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no in-service incurrence or development of a compensable disability within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, right ear hearing loss, CFS, and memory loss have all been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.,The claim for TBI residuals has been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of medical evidence addressing these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current disability and insufficient evidence from the last VA examination. A new VA examination is required to assess the current status of the Veteran’s hearing loss.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including asthma, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The issues are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left leg disability, but remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The rating for the left leg scar remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.,Right Shoulder Disability: Degenerative joint disease was diagnosed many years after service.