Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stenosis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back injury), and actinic keratosis (claimed as facial and torso basal cell condition). The claim for bilateral knee condition is still pending. The appeals are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for COPD and hernia. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to in-service noise exposure for his hearing conditions and head injury for his headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. His ischemic heart disease is also granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right elbow chip and scar as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to provide evidence and undergo examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noises, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded cases regarding initial ratings for right knee DJD and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no in-service noise exposure or hearing impairment, and the current disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For tinnitus, while the Appellant reported an in-service onset, his STRs show no such symptoms at separation, making it less likely that service connection can be established.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting statements regarding in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are intertwined, so both issues will be addressed together.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of left ear hearing loss and renal cell carcinoma for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional evidence and examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss is granted. An increased rating of 40 percent is granted for lumbosacral spine disability, but the left breast scar remains at a non-compensable rating. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including hearing loss, DJD of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee, left knee disorder, bone disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left thigh disorder, right thigh disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, neck muscle spasms, visual defect, hypertension, GERD, brain tumor, peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy, seizure disorder, and other conditions. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

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

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and hearing loss, but found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, as is his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The headache disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient development, including a need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than Level I hearing impairment in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.,Entitlement to service connection for residuals of cervical spine fusion at C4-5 and lumbosacral spine fusion at L4-5, as well as neuropathy of the right leg associated with these conditions, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.