Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was related to hazardous noise exposure during his second period of active duty service. His hearing loss and back condition were not related to service, while the claim for residuals of dengue fever is denied due to lack of evidence of residuals at any time during the appeals period. The skin cancer claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, cysts, and hearing loss disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.,No new evidence was found to reopen the claims for left shoulder disability and anxiety/nervousness.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and pes planus. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD but did not reach this issue due to other pending issues.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to have begun during his active service and was caused by noise exposure, thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is considered to have started during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the claims were not granted as there is no causal relationship between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and counseling evaluation folder. The inextricably intertwined psychiatric disorder claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI was reopened and granted, with an effective date of April 4, 2013.,A compensable rating (20%) is assigned for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective from April 4, 2013.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and a higher rating is denied.,Sciatic nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with an initial rating of 10%, effective from January 13, 2011. The femoral nerve left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted with an initial rating of 10%, effective from the same date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss issue is pending as it was not addressed in detail.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Veteran's primary care physician. The claims are not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a comprehensive examination. The claims for service connection will be reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's in-service drug overdose is considered the cause of his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability, including consideration of in-service noise exposure and any link between his current tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination, outstanding SSA records, and consideration of TDIU.