Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for low back disability. Right ear hearing loss is found to be caused by in-service noise exposure, while the low back disability is not considered to have been aggravated or caused during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder involving the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to new evidence received since the last denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and hepatitis C due to incomplete history provided by the VA examiner in March 2012. The issues are now inextricably intertwined as they all relate to his active duty service from June 1970 to June 1973.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for generalized anxiety disorder and left ear hearing loss has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.,Service connection for a neck condition, claimed as cervical injury, and peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity have both been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and initial rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records, an examination by a VA Otolaryngologist, and another examination of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's hearing loss, left ankle disability, headaches, and low back disabilities due to their worsening since his last VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left-hand disability, right-hand disability, lumbar spine disability, skin condition, jungle rot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's recent treatment records and his lay statements concerning onset and severity are to be considered.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are rated at a combined 60 percent effective September 2, 2005. The Board also granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and right ear hearing loss were granted. The claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DMII) was denied due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for DMII is not warranted as the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam, thus no presumption of exposure applies.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate, and a new examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the January 2015 VA examination, which was conducted over 39 months ago. A new VA audiology evaluation is needed to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as not being incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination findings. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosis of tinnitus, and the nature and etiology of any such diagnosis for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, myositis of the left upper extremity, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, a left leg disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and headaches are granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, including increased ratings and reduction in rating. The Veteran also seeks a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is not enough evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his condition and its functional effects. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the hearing loss rating issue.