Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, granted a remand for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the issue of service connection for sinus condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also meets the requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy (left upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (right upper extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, left lower extremity), peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve, right lower extremity), and peripheral neuropathy (femoral nerve, left lower extremity) are all denied. The Board has remanded the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic lumbar strain with arthritis and degenerative disc disease, left knee condition, right knee condition, left leg shin splints, and right leg shin splints due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder and tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and TBI. The appeals for these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including for a VA audiology evaluation to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service. The back, knee, sleep apnea, and sinus issues are also being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, low back disorder, and right ear hearing loss. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU rating. The Board found the evidence supported that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure and combat stressors, respectively. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his experiences during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including arrhythmia, right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, cognitive disorder, left ear hearing loss, IBS with GERD, hemorrhoids, and migraines. The claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service and there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the most recent audiometric test showing a combined rating of I in the right ear and IV in the left ear. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 7, 2016 for the service connection of various conditions including diabetes mellitus and its complications. The Veteran's original claim was filed on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disorder including coronary artery disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and insomnia due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are related to back injury residuals, COPD, erectile dysfunction, chloracne, skin cancer, and neuropathies of the hands and extremities.