Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous examination did not consider all relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further medical development to clarify the etiology of his carpal tunnel syndrome and to assess the severity of his hearing loss and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are not related to his military service. The Veteran's irregular heartbeat and bilateral leg condition have also been found not to be linked to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and chronic skin condition are related to his active service, including exposure to herbicides. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have Bell's palsy or dysphonia, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are not related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a heart disorder (secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia or hypertension), and a psychiatric disorder (other than panic disorder with agoraphobia) have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 50% to 30% was not proper, but a reduction to 40% is appropriate. The Veteran's hearing improved over time as evidenced by VA examinations and corresponding objective testing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left eye disorder, including Adie's pupil, related to service or any other service-connected disability. The issues of service connection for right ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are also denied.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The lower back disability was not service connected as it is not linked to a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was aggravated during active duty service, thus granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, foot disability other than flat feet, or a current foot disability other than flat feet. Service connection was not granted for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, vision loss, laxity of the right knee, or recurrent low back pain with history of muscle strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the current hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and skin disability of the feet are found to be service-connected. The right ankle disability and ischemic heart disease claims were not addressed due to lack of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from March 14, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.