Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diverticulitis due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of recent audiometric test results. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for release of his employee health records containing these results.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service, with the exception of a March 2013 letter from Dr. N.O., which was not given much weight due to lack of review of the claims file.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The evidence shows that his hearing loss is currently at Level I in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran did not have current hearing loss disability or nasal polyps, which are required for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. For allergic rhinitis, the evidence showed no greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides due to rhinitis or complete obstruction of one side, and no polyps.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The case of service connection for a right ankle disorder and an initial compensable rating prior to July 20, 2015, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, for left ankle distal malleolar fracture is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for TBI is denied. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, scarring (penis), migraine headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or a relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scarring is denied because there is no current diagnosis of a scar. The Veteran had a scar during service but it has resolved, leaving only hypertrophic skin.,The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded as the evidence does not establish a relationship to service.

The claims for service connection for left knee sprain, right knee sprain, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis has been remanded.,The claims for service connection for conjunctivitis and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) have also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 100 percent since March 10, 2003. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. Service connection for a back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (to include as secondary to a back disability) is remanded.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and high blood pressure. The claim for arthritis is not before the Board as it was not included in the May 2015 statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, but the rating for PTSD remains under review.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,Claims regarding the Veteran's knee, shoulder, deviated septum, sleep apnea, lacunar infarcts, PTSD, and dental conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a vision disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome in the right upper extremity are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or prior to the appeal period.,Service connection for skin rash to the back, back of arms, and sides is denied because there is no medical evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for perianal abscess, as well as the issue of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current hearing impairment to in-service acoustic trauma. The examiner concluded that the Veteran’s self-reported onset of hearing problems began decades after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure to noise from helicopters, leading to current conditions. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.