Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 13, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is being remanded due to the need for a local RO hearing.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his puretone threshold scores prior to October 23, 2007 did not warrant an increased disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, particularly in relation to service exposure. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing service treatment records and refer the case for an addendum opinion from the examiner who performed the June 2016 examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted with an effective date of March 3, 2015. This decision was based on evidence showing the Veteran could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, and his right foot disability has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.,Both conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and additional examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate reasons or bases in its decision and failure to ensure substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA spine examination, and providing an additional VA examination of the knees, right wrist, and left hand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service and continue to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected PTSD. A supplemental medical opinion is also needed regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to service, including noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar II disorder and dysthymic disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the result of noise exposure during his active duty, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of the claim, including scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss.