Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension (secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease) need further examination and evaluation. The case is being sent back to VA for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to May 8, 2018, a rating in excess of 0 percent was not warranted due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels. From May 8, 2018, a rating in excess of 20 percent was also not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The claim for Meniere’s disease secondary to service-connected tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them both. The claim for dental disorder to include residuals of mouth surgery was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder including PTSD is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of noise exposure during service and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted. However, both claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records, specifically VA treatment records from September 2010 forward. The Veteran is advised to provide these records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. Additional development, including obtaining inpatient service treatment records and a VA examination, is required.

The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is denied as the disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's claims for back condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD remains pending as the stressor verification process is ongoing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was restored to a 20 percent rating effective from December 1, 2016. The Board found that the reduction of the 20 percent rating to 10 percent for the entire period from April 1, 2016, was not proper and granted restoration.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not develop due to noise exposure in service and is not otherwise related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for hypereosinophilic syndrome. The Board found no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and a separate claim for service connection for bilateral otitis externa were denied. The effective date of the 30% rating for bilateral hearing loss was set at January 6, 2014.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's back disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing audiogram records and for clarification on in-service hearing loss.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, and a 100 percent initial evaluation is granted for the cerebrovascular accident prior to January 15, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence.