Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for OSA was granted. Entitlement to a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability during the pendency of the claim and insufficient evidence to link these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The reasons include inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a compensable rating prior to September 13, 2023 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain, as well as service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings or establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further clarification and examination regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations. The April 4, 2019, audiogram results will be obtained, and a new examination will determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye disabilities due to incomplete records, including missing STRs from his second period of active service. The AOJ is also directed to determine if the Veteran participated in a TERA (toxic exposure risk activity) based on his MOS as motor transportation operator.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for bursitis, left knee have been dismissed due to the Veteran's explicit withdrawal of these issues during his Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression, have been reopened. The claim for service connection for a back disability, restless leg syndrome (left leg), and restless leg syndrome (right leg) is remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted.,Remand is ordered for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal condition (including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic diarrhea), and dizziness.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic diarrhea, is remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his symptoms and their relationship to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness (claimed as vertigo) is remanded due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is needed to determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was incurred during service or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for back disability, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to scheduling errors and confusion regarding an in-person examination for hearing loss. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is considered when determining if his hearing loss was caused or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 17, 2007 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,An initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability characterized as insomnia disorder with non-sleep disorder, mental comorbidity, and medical comorbidity, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatoid arthritis of the bilateral hands is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability characterized as degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine, status post lumbosacral strain, is denied.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision found no causal relationship between the current hearing loss and service, while finding in-service onset of tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of gall bladder removal, bilateral hearing loss, and abdominal scar. The effective date is to be determined by the AOJ.

The Veteran's application for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral fingers crush injury residuals, thoracolumbar spine disorder, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, kidney disease, urinary incontinence, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. Service connection for hypertension was granted based on the PACT Act.