Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection for a left-hand disability is denied, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issues of left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The knee disorder issue is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and back disorder were evaluated. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating for any of these conditions and remanded several issues including service connection for a left knee disorder, individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU), and service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and for a new examination. The increased rating claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is granted, with the issues remanded for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, lower back disorder, and pain down the legs for further examination to determine their etiology. The Veteran's service connection claims are otherwise denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding records and a need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection is also denied for an acquired psychiatric disability (also claimed as anxiety and depression), a muscle disability to include as due to an unspecified undiagnosed illness, and a left leg condition. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left arm scar prior to January 20, 2014 have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for PTSD prior to January 20, 2014 is remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's last VA audiological examination was in April 2013, and his hearing has reportedly worsened since then. The Board finds a remand is required to schedule a new VA examination for the purpose of assessing the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 70 percent prior to August 14, 2015. A TDIU is granted for the period prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of his sleep disorder was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the issue.,Service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as scoliosis, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran’s current condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active duty service due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability. The appellant's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be related to his military service and was incurred therein. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, frostbite injury to bilateral ears, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty sleeping, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the claims of service connection for lower extremity neuropathy, upper extremity neuropathy, respiratory disability (asthma), obesity, and diabetes mellitus due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and lack of adequate rationale.