Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a lumbar spine disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Additional evidence is needed, including private medical records and an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not fully resolved and requires additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The appellant has raised claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, a disease related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and hearing loss. The claim for eligibility for internment in a VA national cemetery is remanded until these service-connection claims are resolved.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at a 10 percent rating from June 16, 2016 to June 13, 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral ear hearing loss, respiratory disability, eye condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension was not established due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.,There is no indication that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically addressing whether these conditions are related to service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be readjudicated after this process.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of etiology opinions regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear disorders. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since the last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise during active service and that his current conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a supplemental VA medical opinion due to new evidence submitted by his representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent from September 15, 2016 for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, foot, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not present during or related to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, specifically noise exposure. The issue of whether the hearing loss is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus is also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and evidence collection. The issues are related to his service-connected bronchial asthma and a claimed bilateral hearing loss.