Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable rating prior to March 25, 2014 and no rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but his tinnitus is considered to have begun during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea cruris, pedis, and unguium are remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent examination showing Level I hearing impairment in both ears. The Board determined that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection due to PTSD, diabetes mellitus with hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims were reopened on new evidence, but the effective date remains August 29, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the May 2012 VA examination report.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and respiratory disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, headaches, and prostate disorder. Service connection is granted for all conditions except prostate disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and the evaluation of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's diabetes is related to his in-service diet, and he contends that it started during service due to hyperlipidemia. For the hearing loss issue, additional symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, lightheadedness, and spots before his eyes are also being evaluated.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the effective dates for awards of service connection were not granted earlier than specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for impetigo and folliculitis, PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and allergic rhinitis were denied. The appeals for higher initial ratings for PTSD prior to March 16, 2016; an initial compensable rating for tinnitus; and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of relevant medical history.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is based on an inaccurate factual premise and thus remanded for further review. The Veteran needs to provide all of his VA treatment records, particularly from Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane, Washington.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to incomplete development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as a maintenance engineer at St. Francis Medical Center, which does not render him unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a right foot/ankle fracture and tinnitus are granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.