Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is established for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the auditory threshold criteria for a current disability.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated noncompensably disabling, and higher ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence of two or more symptoms warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The Veteran's ED is currently rated noncompensably disabling as there is no deformity shown. ,The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated noncompensably disabling, and higher ratings are not warranted due to lack of evidence of prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 3, 2014 are denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as he has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected sinusitis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his period of active military service.

An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 19, 2017, was denied. From September 19, 2017, to December 6, 2017, a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted and effective as of December 6, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Board found that the Veteran experienced hearing problems during service, which is considered combat-related under 38 U.S.C. § 1154(b).

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable due to the audiometric test results not meeting the specific pure tone thresholds percentages required for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for esophageal cancer, right knee and back disabilities, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since November 2, 2010. The most recent VA audiometry findings show no greater than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level III hearing impairment in the left ear.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the cases of bilateral hearing loss and anxiety are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and failure to consider aggravation of his current disabilities by other service-connected conditions. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and right shoulder disability.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extra-schedular basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are contemplated by the existing schedular criteria and there is no evidence of other functional effects related to difficulty hearing. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2015 VA examination and the need for a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion by a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depressive disorder) due to insufficient evidence. The claims will be further developed by obtaining additional information about in-service stressors and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The appeal is now denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection for bilateral hand numbness is denied because there is no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in either upper extremity.,The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II remains at 10 percent, as the disability is manageable with a restricted diet alone. The appeal is denied.,Diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities does not warrant a compensable rating due to lack of evidence showing the need for insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, or regulation of activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable and his diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.