Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting opinions and missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the claims for residuals of a lower back injury and an increased evaluation for post-operative pterygia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's spouse was not added to his compensation award prior to June 1, 2011 due to the lack of timely submission of a VA Form 21-686(c) declaration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the lowest possible non-compensable level.,Tinnitus has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, which cannot be increased further under current criteria.,Sleep apnea is currently rated at the highest available schedular rating (50%), and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's heart disorder is currently rated at 30%, with no higher rating being granted due to lack of specific findings supporting a higher level of disability.,PTSD has been rated as 30% prior to October 31, 2013, and 50% thereafter. No higher ratings are warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment due to his inability to hear in even quiet environments, which precludes both physical and sedentary work.

The claim of service connection for hearing loss is reopened and the appeal is granted to this extent only. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his ACDUTRA or an injury during INACDUTRA.

The claim of service connection for recurrent tinnitus and an increased rating evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus may be related to his time in service or his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss disability may be related to her Reserves service, and a VA examination is needed to determine this.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service and concluding that his current hearing loss is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to her service-connected eczematous dermatosis, in-service noise exposure, or any other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacements, and traumatic brain injury. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and medical records, scheduling examinations, and seeking private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service at RTAFB Nakhon Phanom. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as the January 2011 VA examination report is insufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is as likely as not incurred during his active service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for hearing loss of the right ear was dismissed as it has been fully granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee condition secondary to service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow the VA to further evaluate and determine service connection for a right eye disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records and an audiological examination.