Hearing loss Board decisions

Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and migraine headaches prior to February 14, 2019 is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to February 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain as documented at the December 2017 VA examination. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain prior to July 10, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings for various knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. Additional evidence has been received since the April 2020 statement of the case. The Board is remanding these matters to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the left ear hearing loss and whether the diagnosed acoustic neuroma is causally related to service, including toxic exposures in Southwest Asia. The Veteran's contentions about the onset of his symptoms are considered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain an etiology opinion regarding a right ear hearing loss disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 4, 2012 is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle disability for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inadequate examination. The presumption of soundness applies, and further development is needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of residuals of a left big toe fracture. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety, was granted service connection. Left ear hearing loss and erectile dysfunction were also granted. However, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee flexion limitation, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and hypertension are denied. The rating for diabetes mellitus is not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's hearing loss claim should be remanded for further examination and medical opinion due to incomplete documentation in his service treatment records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, previously rated as PTSD, is granted a rating of 70 percent effective August 28, 2017. Effective that date, the Veteran is also granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of hearing evaluation results, which may be relevant in determining whether a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, requiring a more recent VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service. The claim will be reopened, but a new medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. Service connection for hepatitis A, stomach ulcer associated with hepatitis A, pancreatitis associated with hepatitis A, and gastritis associated with hepatitis A are denied.

The Board has remanded three issues: a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 12, 2017 and in excess of 10 percent therefrom; a rating in excess of 50 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD); and the SMC at the housebound rate. The remand requests obtaining missing VA audiogram results and scheduling a new VA examination for MDD.

The Veteran's appeal regarding chronic rhinosinusitis and right ear hearing loss is dismissed. Service connection for pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor is granted, but the case is remanded to determine appropriate disability ratings for left and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted, with the evidence showing he has not been gainfully employed since February 10, 2017. The combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for schedular consideration of a TDIU.