Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new evidence suggesting a possible diagnosis of bilateral high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), as well as his claim for a temporary total disability evaluation following spondylolisthesis surgery. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any relevant outstanding VA treatment records and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, was denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD requires regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities, requiring assistance from his daughter. The Board granted SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,Prior to February 23, 2011, his GERD was not productive of symptoms warranting a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA's definition of hearing loss. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, with the condition having onset during active service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic suppurative otitis media, and tinnitus. The next step is to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and colon cancer. The issues of service connection for depression, removal of a cyst, sleep apnea, adult onset vitelliform macular dystrophy, and renal cell carcinoma are REMANDED.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is not considered a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise in service which likely caused his current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for hip replacement. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hip arthritis, and bilateral foot arthritis are granted. The claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss and tinnitus, or chronic migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no current disability found in either case, with the exception that the Board accepts the Veteran's assertions of noise exposure during service. For hearing loss, the evidence does not show a current disability. For tinnitus, the claim fails due to lack of nexus between service and onset.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a recurrent low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorders, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders, headache disorder, right ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS (rhegulopathy), left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ear hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.