Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied his request for a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions and psychiatric symptoms preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the combined disability rating and his inability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for anxiety disorder, service connection for a low back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened on April 13, 2015, and effective as of that date, he was granted service connection for PTSD, TBI, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of fracture of tooth #10.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance, loss of use of feet and/or lower extremities, and whether his service-connected disabilities alone caused these issues. Additional VA treatment records are needed, as well as an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 3, 2020. The appeal is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, and remanded his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist strain and right ankle sprain are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have a present hearing disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,Service connection for right knee strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion from the 2014 VA examination.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since separation from service and the medical opinion supports a nexus between service exposure and current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA audiology opinion. The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed as there was in-service exposure to hazardous noise and current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate for the claims of service connection for various knee, ankle, lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran's conditions are being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service, but has remanded for further examination regarding his right ear hearing loss and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating effective February 9, 2023. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, uterine fibroid condition, and allergies due to unresolved issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and any potential links to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or post-service treatment.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied due to lack of in-service onset and no link to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been denied because it did not manifest during or within one year after leaving service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis, effective July 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening of his hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), right hand/finger disability, left hand/finger disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided that the Veteran should be scheduled for a DRO hearing due to her request, and the appeal is being remanded accordingly.