Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly compensation benefits.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,New evidence has been submitted that relates fibromyalgia and bilateral lower peripheral neuropathy to service. The claims are reopened but not yet granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and perforated tympanic membrane are related to service. However, due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in the November 2012 VA examination, the issues of bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane require further review.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and otitis media. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and residuals of a broken jaw are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for sleep apnea, and a compensable initial rating for the Veteran's eye disabilities. These cases require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of eye burns is reopened and granted.,Bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for a heart disability and DM II are denied, presumed based on herbicide exposure during service.,Glaucoma secondary to DM II is denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete record development, including obtaining a pre-employment physical examination records and military personnel records. A new medical examination is also required.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as his current disability is a chronic disease and at least as likely as not manifested to a compensable degree during the applicable presumptive period, manifested during service, or produced continuity of symptomatology ever since service. The Veteran also had qualifying service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's conditions did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there was no evidence linking his current conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements about symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD. The case is being sent back for a VA examination to determine if the sleep apnea is related to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions, and whether it is caused by medications used to treat other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically his exposure during service and its impact on his current condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's reports of noise exposure are consistent with his service, and he currently has a hearing loss disability. However, the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s hearing loss is not related to service due to normal hearing at enlistment and separation. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and orders a new examination.

The appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and skin condition have been dismissed. The appeal of PTSD is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions began during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in his early twenties and have continued since. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence linking current hearing loss to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and the need for a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability (ankylosing spondylitis) and denied service connection for right knee condition. The claim of increased rating for cervical spine disability is remanded.