Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from Vista Imaging. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any of these conditions, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in fulfilling the duty to assist, as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate for adjudication purposes. The Veteran must be afforded a new medical examination to assess the nature and likely etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not clear and unmistakable error (CUE), thus restoring the Veteran's service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service meet the requirements of presumptive service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), RLE peripheral neuropathy, LLE peripheral neuropathy, RUE peripheral neuropathy, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to new and relevant evidence received since the July 2019 rating decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, hypertension (HTN), or right total hip replacement for VA purposes. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide further examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's hearing was normal at the time of his August 2019 VA examination and did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TB are denied. The right knee disability claim is remanded.,For tinnitus, the evidence does not establish a current disability or relate it to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, with a 0 percent disability rating assigned.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, and neck and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection for the thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending due to remand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since October 1, 1999. The most recent VA audiometric evaluation in September 2020 showed hearing acuity levels of Level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the VA audiological examination results indicate he has no worse than Level I hearing impairment in either ear during the appellate period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

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

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), RLE peripheral neuropathy, LLE peripheral neuropathy, RUE peripheral neuropathy, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to new and relevant evidence received since the July 2019 rating decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.