Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities as defined by VA regulations. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's Meniere's Disease should be remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus. The TDIU claim also needs further review.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including a VA examination.

The Board found that an earlier effective date for SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) is not warranted as a matter of law, and thus denied the claim. The case is remanded to issue an SOC addressing the possibility of entitlement to SMC at any rate higher than the rate provided under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a back condition, tinnitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for Meniere’s disease with vertigo and bilateral hearing loss, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions. The Veteran's bruxism (claimed as TMJ disorder) was remanded due to its potential link to depression.,Service connection for depression was also remanded because the issue was not properly addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and vertigo due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted service connection. The left knee, right knee, sleep, bilateral hearing loss, missing teeth, and hypertension claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The rating assigned will be determined after further review.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records from the Veteran's active service. Additional attempts are required to obtain these records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss. The RO will provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to incomplete records. The Veteran needs to provide VA with his complete service treatment records, as well as any post-service medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for arthritis, dry eye syndrome, hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential missing VA treatment records and service treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his medical history and any relevant documents.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on various conditions were dismissed. The appeal regarding PTSD was granted with a TDIU rating since April 7, 2016.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30% prior to June 5, 2009 and increased to 40% from June 5, 2009 to January 27, 2011. The rating for the condition has been denied since then.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule, with a finding of Level II hearing in both ears. The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable, with a rating of 0%.