Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, arthritis, and dental conditions. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in October 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and was unrelated to any in-service noise exposure. For flat feet, the Board noted pes planus was present at entrance but no diagnosis of flat feet was made during service. The addendum opinion will be needed to determine if the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations. The Board found that his right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were rated appropriately, but noted that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claim for TBI and denied the service connection claims for psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a back disability, and IBS. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least as much evidence supporting these claims as against them.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right knee disability as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely related to his noise exposure during active duty, including in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and IBS were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or illness. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical or mental incapacity that prevents him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. Further, the Veteran is not in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating or in receipt of a total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and thus remands the case for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, bilateral feet bone spurs with falling arches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his period of active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.