Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss. The decision finds that the Veteran had a pre-existing hearing loss disability in both ears, but noise exposure during service aggravated these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss has been denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, which currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in the audiometric results. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are also being remanded as they may be impacted by the outcome of the hearing loss issue.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from July 10, 2017 onward. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, and bilateral shoulder disability due to a lack of examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is determined to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and the current severity of his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's hearing acuity is not shown to be worse than Level I in either ear, warranting a 0 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the need for clarification on audiometric test results from private providers.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development related to his service-connected ichthyosis. The outcome of this development may affect his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 11, 2017 was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cases of PTSD and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after his last Statements of the Case. The claims for higher initial ratings and increased rating will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ear drum disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 16, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 20 percent or greater for bilateral hearing loss beginning April 16, 2016 was granted.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability secondary to injured nerve status post left knee surgery and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the same condition. Both claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right lobectomy for lung cancer, secondary to asbestos exposure, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, secondary to GERD, is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies, due to asbestos exposure, is remand.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, numbness in the right hand, bilateral knee disability, left hip disability, spinal meningitis, and sleep apnea. The effective dates for these issues are not addressed as they are being remanded.

The application to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his combat service in Vietnam.