Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left hip, right hip, or bilateral hearing loss disabilities for VA purposes. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they did not have onset during service or due to in-service noise exposure. The initial ratings for left and right elbow disabilities, including limitation of motion and impairment, are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and rhinitis have been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for chronic pain disorder, bilateral hearing loss, depressive disorder, and eczema due to unclear etiology and severity.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not pre-exist service or were aggravated by service. The evidence showed no in-service noise exposure leading to hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been reopened. The evidence now supports the possibility that these conditions may be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient medical information. Additional development is required including obtaining a pre-employment audiogram report, scheduling an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions, and providing an opinion on whether they are related to active service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability has worsened, and a more current VA examination is needed to determine the present level of disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but the right ear hearing loss claim remains pending as a new examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has worsened since his last VA examination in April 2017, and he needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for traumatic brain injury, chronic left ankle sprain, hearing loss in the left ear, and PTSD due to unclear evidence regarding TBI residuals and insufficient examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations.

The Board has found that more evidence is needed to decide the claims for service connection for various disabilities, and has ordered a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) with consideration of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of recent VA examination and inadequate private audiogram.

The Veteran's last VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss was conducted over four years ago, and he reported worsening symptoms. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a respiratory disability and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding their current severity and potential service connection. The AOJ is instructed to schedule VA examinations and obtain additional records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable (0%) from December 2012 to December 6, 2017. From December 6, 2017, a rating of 10% for the condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD based on in-service personal assault are not supported by evidence and requires further development, including providing notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for throat and tongue cancer, as well as precancerous lip lesion, secondary to herbicide exposure (Agent Orange), are remanded.