Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for left shoulder disability, excision of moles and cysts, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete evaluations and lack of compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of left mandible fracture, trigeminal neuralgia, bilateral hearing loss, and trachea disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the adequacy of the VA examination reports and a need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's hearing loss was caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks alone has rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment, and he is granted TDIU. Effective February 28, 2022, the Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, a back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have all been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted a 70% rating from August 31, 2018 to February 10, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's OSA is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His bilateral hearing loss is also not service-connected, with no evidence of symptoms prior to the April 2018 private examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss of the right ear and right knee condition due to insufficient evidence and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after obtaining additional information and a new examination if necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The issues of service connection for skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, and liver condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, and a respiratory condition are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left thumb disability and bilateral hearing loss disability. The lung cancer claim is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's left thumb disability or bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed as the claim had been fully granted in a November 2023 rating decision. The appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss were remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and verify stressors. Another examination is needed to assess hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral elbow cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted. ,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with alcoholism) has also been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals/effects of a dental abscess and root canal was denied in the August 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the left wrist and thumb, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and PTSD due to additional evidence added after the June 2021 Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it had its onset in service and there was no evidence of noise exposure causing permanent auditory damage.

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to reports of worsening hearing since service, including during Persian Gulf War deployment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension have been reopened. The Board has ordered remand to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and exposure to jet fuel, as well as verification of in-service herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or related to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and testicular injury are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.