Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of his left knee injury and bilateral hearing loss, so the Board cannot consider these claims further.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lower back disability, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 13, 2015 and granted a 10 percent disability rating thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a higher rating for his back disability and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's separation pay was withheld from his VA disability compensation due to the laws and regulations that prohibit such withholding for involuntary separation or SSA withholdings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete records. The claims will be reconsidered after all available records are obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development, including an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the relationship between noise exposure during service and the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain disability rating, and TDIU due to insufficient attempts in obtaining private medical records. A VA examination is needed for a proper assessment of these issues.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for respiratory condition and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is related to his service-connected residuals of a right ring finger fracture. His bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded three issues: eosinophilic esophagitis, psoriasis, and diarrhea.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete records from his private audiologist A.F. The VA will request these records and re-adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities. His special monthly compensation claim is also remanded as he has not provided updated medical records or an updated VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of left and right lower extremities. The claims for reopening service connection for respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headache disability are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied reopening of claims for somnambulism, mixed personality disorder, head trauma history (including TBI), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.