Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination and opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as the current evidence is insufficient for an informed decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, was caused by active service. The evidence of record does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of left ear hearing loss or a left ankle disability, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder appeal was withdrawn.,Service connection for hearing loss and low back disorders is not warranted as the evidence does not show a current disability or link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted as there is no doubt that it began during service and is related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not service-connected as there is no probative evidence of a chronic disorder since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing disorder is at least as likely related to noise exposure during his service in Vietnam, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for the appellant's right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent effective September 9, 2010. The cervical spine disability was also granted with a separate initial rating of 10 percent effective September 9, 2010. The TDIU claim is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA audiological examination as his hearing loss has been reported to be worsening.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left hip DJD, status post left hip replacement.,Service connection is also granted for degenerative disc disease (DDD).,Left leg radiculopathy secondary to degenerative disc disease has been established as well.,Heart condition due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam is now service connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to service, with tinnitus being noted since service.,Hypertension, also linked to service exposure, has been granted service connection.,No specific rating or effective date was provided.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board finds that it meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (panic disorder with depression, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss) may result in unemployability. The VA has not yet properly developed the TDIU claim by obtaining SSA records and completing a VA Form 21-4192 from his former employers.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable since October 12, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, head skin rash, jungle rot or fungal infections of the lower extremities, and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for essential tremor or dystonia are dismissed. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for TBI and headaches. The service connection claims for dental trauma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's higher disability ratings for bilateral high frequency hearing loss and low back strain have been granted, with the effective date set at February 18, 2014.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss before November 23, 2015 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to that date. For ratings in excess of 10 percent on or after November 23, 2015, the Veteran's claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing his hearing loss has worsened beyond what is contemplated by the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to assess the functional impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 70 percent, with 'one service-connected disability' ratable at at least 40 percent. However, the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.