Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the left ear, hearing loss in the right ear, and tinnitus. The claims are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The Board finds that the current ratings do not fully reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board previously denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. The Court has remanded the case back to the Board with instructions to consider the Veteran's report of vertigo and its impact on his hearing loss, which may warrant an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is denied as there is no objective medical evidence to support a diagnosis of bilateral SNHL.,For the period prior to January 11, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition was not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis; ankylosis; or doctor-prescribed bed rest. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.,From January 11, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition was manifested by forward flexion of 30 degrees and did not require doctor-prescribed bed rest at any during this period. Thus, a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.,For the period prior to September 17, 2015, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy was manifested by mild, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve of an entirely sensory nature. From September 17, 2015, it was manifested by moderate, incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve of an entirely sensory nature. Therefore, a rating of 20 percent is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy from September 17, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Veteran's joint pain is not attributable to service.,There is no current diagnosis of leg cramps related to military training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, which is presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, hypertension, acid reflux, ischemic heart disease, a scar from heart surgery, and a residual scar on the left knee. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for TBI due to lack of a current diagnosis, while granting service connection for aggravated bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection was granted for the aggravation of existing right and left ear hearing loss during active service.

The Veteran's glioblastoma is related to in-service exposure to herbicide agents, and the Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issue of service connection for glioblastoma and bilateral hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes is remanded due to a request for substitution as claimant.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.,Service connection for dermatitis or eczema (claimed as dermatitis) is dismissed as already granted in a previous rating decision.,The Veteran's claims for stage IV prostate cancer with obstructive nephropathy, multiple myeloma, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are all granted due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.,Service connection is granted for multiple myeloma due to exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection is granted for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because his substantive appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as low back disorder, was not timely filed. The Board also found that the VA examination related to the low back disorder was inadequate.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating since December 19, 2003. The Board found that his audiometric test results did not support a compensable rating and concluded there was no basis for staged ratings.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, glaucoma, and lung disorder.

The Veteran was granted service connection for depression and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For depression, the Board found that the Veteran's various service-connected disabilities are more likely than not causing his depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's right heel disability, bilateral hearing loss, ulcer/GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are all remanded for further development.