Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's request for a higher evaluation for tinnitus is denied as the maximum rating of 10 percent has been assigned. The Board also remanded two issues related to hearing loss, left ear and right ear.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but dismissed the claims of service connection for bilateral hip condition and left leg muscle tear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for a clothing allowance for knee brace and topical medication were denied. However, the Board granted a clothing allowance for his back brace due to credible testimony indicating it caused damage to his clothes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during a non-VA CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis at St. Cloud Hospital on September 2, 2014, due to prior authorization by VA.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability and back disability, but denied service connection for both conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of sleep apnea, colorectal cancer and small intestine resection, olecranon spur, right elbow, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), headaches, a right index finger partial amputation with neuropathy, and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being needed. Specifically, an addendum opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. His claim for a dental disability for compensation purposes was also denied.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and granted these claims as they are at least in equipoise with establishing service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hand disability do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left elbow disability and completing a formal TDIU application form. The hearing loss claim remains denied as there is no current hearing loss disability. The right index finger disability is granted with an initial 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability, and thus did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his hearing acuity levels.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia and/or high cholesterol is denied because it is not a recognized disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, with no evidence showing that the Veteran's condition is related to service or herbicide exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss is less likely due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral recurrent tinnitus, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, a mood disorder, and depression) due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The claims are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing loss disability has been manifested by, at worst, Level IV hearing loss in the left ear and Level I hearing loss in the right ear.