Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is causally related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so incapable of performing the activities of daily living that he requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect him from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board denied a higher rating based on the mechanical application of audiometric results to the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because the AOJ did not consider a private opinion submitted in June 2019. The Veteran meets the threshold requirements for TDIU as both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus affect a single body system: auditory.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the agency of original jurisdiction to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for disability of the ears, other than bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left knee scars has been denied because the scars do not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within the presumptive period. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is granted as it is related to his active service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding their onset and relationship to service.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is also remanded for further development due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the April 2021 decision. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for prostate cancer are being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence, including audiogram results from CPRS and medical records related to his prostate cancer treatment. The Board also notes that VA did not obtain a VA examination or medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's prostate cancer.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding an inadequate audiology opinion. The Veteran's hearing loss is being reviewed again for potential service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating in excess of 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for L5-S1 lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no indication of its manifestation within one year of service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level VIII, which is noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is denied because the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's BHL, right foot pain, and hemorrhoids are remanded for further evaluation.,Right foot pain is remanded for a VA examination.,Hemorrhoids are also remanded for a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of PFB and duodenal ulcer, as well as his claim for service connection of OSA. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of right and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate etiology opinions provided in the June 2021 VA examination report.