Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the most probative evidence established that the original claim was filed on March 24, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, coronary artery disease (CAD/IHD), erectile dysfunction as secondary to CAD/IHD, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for COPD. Bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service, while COPD is not related to any injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are found to be of sufficient severity to require the need for assistance with his activities of daily living. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions alone meet the criteria for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance.

The claim for bilateral hearing loss is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for diabetes mellitus, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection was not granted for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, or an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperthyroidism, and a benign brain tumor have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,There is no current diagnosis of or treatment for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing impairment, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn prior to a decision.,His bilateral hearing loss is rated as zero percent since June 7, 2012. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any point during this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding whether the Veteran's combined disability evaluation was properly calculated. The reduction of his prostate cancer disability evaluation from 100% to noncompensable effective April 1, 2014 is upheld. The issue of a compensable evaluation for residuals of prostate cancer and an evaluation higher than 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of tinnitus due to conceded noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to potential in-service exposure to methyl methacrylate, which could be related to these conditions. The Veteran's private audiologist records need to be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the August 2010 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a January 2016 letter from a private audiologist. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct new VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's right-ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The initial compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss (now bilateral) is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The claims for leukemia and lymphoma as secondary to herbicide exposure are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, right big toe disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that they are related to military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for a right ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,Service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right ear hearing loss. The initial rating for ischemic heart disease remains denied.