Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle degenerative joint disease have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, but additional evidence is needed for other conditions. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 4, 2013.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, low blood pressure, and blisters as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of documentation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease claims are remanded for further evaluation. The hearing loss claim is also remanded, but with a request to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and mouth injury residuals due to incomplete medical opinions and inaccurate factual predicates.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensably disabling (0%) based on VA audiometric evaluations conducted in April 2014, September 2014, and October 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating due to consistent audiometric test results.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board also remanded the case to consider his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's petition to reopen service connection for glaucoma has been granted, but the claim remains denied. The Board has also remanded cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, due to incomplete records. Service connection for malignant melanoma of the left forearm and right leg is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injury, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis and GERD), bronchitis, essential benign tremor, and bladder dysfunction. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical opinions and insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during military duty. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric condition should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and reviewing medical research.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, reduction of rating following right knee total knee arthroplasty, and TDIU due to service-connected right knee disability. Additional evidence is needed from VA facilities and medical records are required for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or related to service, as there was no significant threshold shift during service and normal audiometric testing at separation. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a relationship between the current disability and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney condition, and PTSD claims are all subject to further review.