Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of hearing loss during service or its relation to any in-service noise exposure. The Veteran needs a new VA audiological evaluation.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case of service connection for depression/anxiety is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is less likely than not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active duty. However, it denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for clarification of the type of word list used during his multiple audiometric examinations and for obtaining additional records from the San Juan VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of adequate examination. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not considered aggravated by service, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A new examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has referred the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss to the RO due to incomplete medical records. The matter is now remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service, continuous since service, or compensable manifestations within one year of separation. The Veteran did not experience these conditions during his active duty service and the VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss is less likely caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and PVD with femorotibial bypass of the left lower extremity due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be provided new VA examinations.

The Board has previously remanded the issues of an extraschedular disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU. These matters are being referred to the Compensation Service Director for further consideration based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dysthymic disorder, temporomandibular joint disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral foot condition, are found to be severe enough to prevent the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a spine condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychological disorder (including bipolar disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate examinations and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied in the November 2011 rating decision. However, this decision contained clear and unmistakable error (CUE) as it failed to consider evidence showing a nexus between current left ear hearing loss and service exposure. The effective date of May 26, 2011 is granted for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss in his left ear clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and did not worsen during service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.