Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the audio examinations provided. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, and grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to his military service.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, while his low back disability was not shown during service or within one year of separation. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, associate the February 2015 Statement of the Case with the record, and schedule him for a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development, particularly regarding his immersion feet claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's symptoms (tinnitus, ear pain, headaches, dizziness, and vertigo) are related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for hearing loss and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates were not addressed due to the remand.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo and an initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for both conditions are met due to their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residual scars due to malignant melanoma need further development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disability have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be the cause of his death, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The appellant was also denied basic eligibility for death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, bilateral knee condition, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss disability, DJD of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's reports of onset during service have been considered, along with his combat-related noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was incurred in service and granted service connection. The other issues on appeal are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and that there is competent medical evidence linking such hearing loss to noise exposure in service. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.