Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected hearing loss has been remanded due to the failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case addressing new medical evidence and the lack of VA treatment records in the claims file.

The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee instability.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left knee limitation of flexion.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain.,The Veteran is denied an effective date earlier than September 22, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right knee arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not severe enough to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The right ankle disability, excepting a period of temporary total disability from December 19, 2014 to January 31, 2015, has been granted with a 20% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for both left ear and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss, an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and review due to insufficient evidence, including missing VA treatment records and audiograms. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being evaluated again, while his left ear hearing loss case will be reviewed with new information.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran also appealed for a TDIU but was denied as his disabilities do not render him incapable of employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service noise exposure causing his current hearing condition.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hearing loss (claimed as left ear condition), PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability (diabetic retinopathy and loss of vision), and sleep disorder with fatigue. The issue of service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of current hearing loss disabilities that meet VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for shrapnel wounds to the face with scars is granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent effective May 6, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current hearing disability and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled examinations. The claims are being remanded for further action.