Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as new and relevant evidence was not submitted to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed again with a new opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to her active duty service.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 6260, and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent) based on the average pure tone thresholds in both ears being within the range of level I hearing impairment.,Prior to February 14, 2020, the Veteran's dermatitis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from February 14, 2020, it is rated as 30 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7806.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from June 19, 2017, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5215-8515.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from June 19, 2017, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5215-8515.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's left knee arthritis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from August 30, 2012, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260.,Prior to June 19, 2017, the Veteran's right knee arthritis was rated at a noncompensable (0 percent) disability rating. Effective from August 30, 2012, it is rated as 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's arthroscopic scars in the left knee were granted service connection effective from December 9, 2008, and no earlier date has been established.,All other issues have been denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that there is a need to verify if the Veteran raised this issue in June 1980, and to obtain any VA records from prior to June 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU and DEA benefits due to service-connected disabilities, as there is a duty-to-assist error regarding a private vocational opinion submitted in February 2014. The Veteran's entitlement to an extra-schedular TDIU prior to March 1, 2011, will be referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ankle condition were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and sciatic nerve condition were also denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 or service connection for cause of death.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bipolar unspecified under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) System.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reviewed with a new opinion from an examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of July 8, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gout of the bilateral feet, bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, urge incontinence and stress incontinence, and erectile dysfunction due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed again with additional medical opinions provided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for an abnormal lung issue, and service connection for hypertension.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for this condition. The claims for PTSD and OSA are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is dismissed.,Service connection for migraines is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus II, liver disease, high blood pressure, endometriosis, and infertility due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's conditions are related to in-service exposure, but further medical opinions are needed.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

Special monthly compensation is granted due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities that combine to at least 60 percent disabling.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left ear hearing loss, and chronic bronchitis have been dismissed. A 10 percent rating is granted for a painful scar of the left index finger.