Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis of the left shoulder is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at noncompensable prior to July 18, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter. His initial evaluation for his left shoulder condition remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim due to the inextricably intertwined nature of these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss and neurological disorder (memory loss).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 22, 2012, for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral ear condition and granted it, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of nexus between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, examinations, and development of his claims. The hearing loss and tinnitus cases will be remanded solely for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service. The right ear hearing loss rating claim is also denied due to a lack of evidence showing an increase in disability beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence of noise exposure during service. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on whether there is a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service, taking into account the conceded acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and an examination. The Veteran also indicated he has headaches, but this issue was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the appellant's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, an increased rating for duodenal ulcer, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The appellant was not provided with a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his hearing impairment was at worst level VI in the right ear and level VII in the left ear. The cause of death claim is also remanded due to an unreadable copy of the Veteran's death certificate.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss may be related to his service, but the relationship is not clear. The examiner should determine if it is at least as likely as not that the hearing loss was caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service exposure to acoustic trauma and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran must submit additional evidence to reopen these claims.,A TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and seizures due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of hypertension, skin cancer, and essential tremors due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran. The appeal for reopening the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was also dismissed as no new material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeal for service connection of headaches. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and anxiety are remanded.