Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential incomplete medical records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that an adequate VA examination and opinion are needed to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 90 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 1, 2024. The decision is based on a recent audiometric examination that showed improved speech recognition scores compared to previous examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable due to the need for continuous medication, but current blood pressure readings do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to a noncompensable rating was proper, effective September 1, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 0 percent for left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no current disability for VA purposes and that the evidence does not support entitlement to these benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, sinusitis, hernia with residuals, hemorrhoids, gastritis, bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or current disability for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in both ears, resulting in a zero percent disability rating. The Board has determined that an initial compensable rating for the condition is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is attributable to military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further consideration, including a potential extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to in-service noise exposure and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, did not manifest to a compensable degree within a presumptive period, and were not noted in service with attributable continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran has been denied service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to March 16, 2021.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 23, 2022, for service connection for fibromyalgia and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for a vocal cord nodules disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine was denied, and his claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease (neck disability), left elbow laceration, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service. The decision also remanded several other issues.