Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder other than the service-connected IBS, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded to determine the etiology of his gastrointestinal disorders, kidney stones and renal insufficiency, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep disorder), migraine headaches, heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, DVT, glaucoma, cholesterol, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back condition, and tinnitus have been granted.,The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for initial ratings on GERD and a right shoulder disability, as well as the denials of service connection for alopecia, bronchitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, lentigo, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal during a hearing before the undersigned. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) has been granted.

The Board has denied an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from November 8, 2016, as the Veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for psychiatric disabilities, shoulder and knee injuries, hearing loss, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The remand also includes a request to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty with the Navy Reserve.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for bronchitis/reactive airway disease is remanded for further review.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded for further review.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded for further review.,Service connection for a right knee disability is remanded for further review.,Service connection for a left foot disability is remanded for further review.,Service connection for a right foot disability is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred during service due to noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a potential material change in symptoms and the need for new examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability are all granted. The effective dates for these grants are the date of claim (April 9, 2014 for PTSD, May 20, 2015 for other disabilities).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury disability and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his eye disability (dry eye syndrome) due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues have been remanded to allow for consideration of new and pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure VA fulfills its duty to assist the Veteran in obtaining relevant private treatment records. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee strain, and left knee strain are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, chronic right inguinal ligament and hamstring strain, and bilateral hearing loss disability are all granted. The rating for the latter is increased to 50 percent effective January 23, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and TDIU as part and parcel of these increased rating claims. The audiogram results from the October 2022 VA examination are missing from the claims file.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and left focal mononeuropathy of the long thoracic nerve were granted initial ratings. The left ear hearing loss claim was remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete personnel records and the need for further medical examinations.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted in full, and the Board is dismissing your appeal as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.