Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in August 2016, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, porphyria cutanea tarda, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss due to exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss is granted, but ratings for the condition prior to January 8, 2018, and on and after that date are denied. Service connection for sinusitis is granted.

The appeal to reopen a service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism is remanded.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss from January 3, 2014. The appellant is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date and his tinnitus remains at the maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper respiratory condition (including sinusitis), pulmonary condition (including emphysema, COPD, and chronic airway obstruction not elsewhere classified), sleep apnea, heart condition, and gastrointestinal condition have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea is inadequate. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of low back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the appeal for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, reopening the claim based on new evidence. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is presumed to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a concussion or fracture of the skull causing mental instability with memory loss or bipolar disorder and resulting in an aneurysm, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to additional evidence being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of rating COPD and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased the rating for PTSD to 50 percent effective from May 24, 2011. The Veteran's current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep impairment are considered sufficient to warrant a higher initial rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active service and to obtain any outstanding military personnel records. The Veteran also needs VA examinations for his claimed disabilities, including neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is remanded for an addendum opinion to clarify whether it was caused by noise exposure in service or impacted cerumen in service.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was also not granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus remains pending as it is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, human papilloma virus (HPV), a skin disorder to include skin cancer and penile cancer, a heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability as the Veteran does not have a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to service.