Hearing loss Board decisions

The rating reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective July 1, 2016 was improper and the 40 percent rating is restored. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no link between his current hearing disability and military noise exposure. The gap of over 36 years between service separation and diagnosis made it difficult to establish a nexus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to her active military service. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis claim was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to her service-connected lumbar myositis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs and SPRs need to be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's noise exposure during service, and a request for an audiologist's opinion is made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type 2, is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition requires daily insulin injections and restricted diet with regulation of activities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for recurrent epidermal cysts with scars, recurrent dermatitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied as there is no evidence showing disfigurement or disabling effects.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension due to the need for additional medical opinions and the possible existence of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as new and material evidence was not received.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss disability in either ear.,Service connection for OSA is denied as it did not manifest during service or be related to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of an opinion regarding their relationship to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of bilateral hearing loss as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and VA needs to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability were evaluated, with the Board finding that a compensable rating for hearing loss prior to March 9, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is not warranted. The Board also found that remand was necessary for further examination regarding his right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an effective date of January 16, 2007. He is also granted a 100% rating for his PTSD and total disability compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC). The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to January 16, 2007 remains outstanding.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The rating for left ear hearing loss remains at noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The effective date of service connection is not being granted as it was received on July 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA treatment records. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and an increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, hearing loss (right ear), GERD, skin condition, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and a nervous condition. The Board also dismissed the claim for lumbago and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The claims of service connection for depression/adjustment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, diabetes, and back disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is a helpless child of the Veteran and thus entitled to death pension benefits. However, her income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a helpless child throughout the relevant period. The appeal is REMANDED due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.