Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence shows a continuity of symptoms since service. However, his claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is no worse than a level I hearing impairment in each ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus has been granted on the basis of aggravation. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the disability was aggravated by service.,Service connection for DJD of the left hip and right hip has been granted based on the presumption that the disability was aggravated by service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder) has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a chronic disease under VA regulations and granted on a presumptive basis due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of contemporaneous audiology treatment notes and unclear speech recognition scores from a 2016 VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his deviated septum. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a qualified VA medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation prior to November 12, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent from November 12, 2015, to January 19, 2018, was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of an initial evaluation of 30 percent or more for service-connected bilateral hearing loss since January 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bowel disorder were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for his tinea pedis.,Service connection for the Veteran’s claimed conditions could not be established as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), back disability, upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities, asthma, sinus disability, and rhinitis. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of evidence showing a diagnosis of such disability for VA purposes. For the remaining issues, the Board finds that additional development is required as there are no current medical opinions addressing the etiology or relationship between any claimed disabilities and active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right ear hearing loss is granted, and the case is remanded for further rating consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The cases of hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, gamekeeper's thumb, onychomycosis, right knee strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease are all remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right wrist ganglion cyst removal surgery, an initial disability rating for a left knee disability in excess of 10 percent, and an initial disability rating for a left testicle hydrocele with epididymitis in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and PTSD. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for cervical spine disability remains denied.

The Veteran's representative and the VA Office of General Counsel requested a remand for further development due to an issue regarding his entitlement to a TDIU rating prior to December 15, 2009. The Board found that referral to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a rating higher than 20 percent since August 4, 2006.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.