Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was present during his military service and there is no evidence of pre-service hearing issues or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and will consider evidence submitted after the May 2021 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new and relevant evidence having been submitted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and traumatic brain injury have been returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran contends that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but the VA examiner did not provide a clear rationale for their conclusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service personnel and treatment records may be missing, leading to a remand for obtaining these records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to this lack of information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current disability in either ear as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip condition has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for difficulty breathing, shortness of breath has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg peripheral neuropathy (also claimed as bilateral leg cramps) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.,The Veteran's petition to reconsider the claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar fasciitis (also claimed as bilateral foot pain) has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to her service, specifically her noise exposure during active duty. However, a new medical opinion is needed to provide an adequate assessment of this claim.

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

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and found that a compensable initial rating of 10 percent was warranted for his hypertension. The evidence showed that the Veteran had consistently high blood pressure readings, with diastolic pressures predominantly at or above 100 and systolic pressures predominantly at or above 160, requiring continuous medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervicalgia, left hand condition, right hand condition, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus) are remanded due to inadequate medical examinations. The AOJ must obtain additional development by scheduling VA examinations and providing adequate rationale in their opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion in the March 2021 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma.