Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims. The decision also noted that an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the period from November 17, 2011 to March 15, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from March 16, 2016, forward is remanded.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims except for the Veteran's TDIU claim, which was granted.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be earlier than June 12, 2013. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, heart condition (hypertension), and hay fever is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with a numeric designation of level III. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and for obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and schizophrenia, but denied reopening of other issues. The initial disability ratings have been granted or denied as appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, including as secondary to tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The appeals regarding the lumbar spine, hearing loss, PTSD, and unemployability are pending further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were incurred during his military service. The left knee injury is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service-connected bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, asbestos exposure and Gulf War hazards, and a compensable rating for hemolytic anemia. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted at a 10 percent level, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse remains rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is also remanded as the military personnel records need to be verified if he served in Thailand, which could affect his presumptive service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and finds that there is at least equipoise evidence. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were evaluated, with the hearing loss denied for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent and the PTSD denied for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent. The claims are remanded due to additional evidence being needed.