Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the presence of a margin of error in audiometric testing.,The Veteran's radiculopathy and back conditions are remanded for additional examination to address flare-ups, functional impairment during flare-ups, and whether they meet the criteria for ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain a July 2020 audiogram and any updated medical records since September 2023.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination for corneal scar of the right eye. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings remain pending.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and CTS of the right wrist due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is denied.,Service connection for plantar fascitis or a bilateral foot condition is remanded.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded.,Service connection for joint pain in the elbows is remanded.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection for Meniere's disease and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has dismissed these claims as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral leg pain, and hypertension. The Veteran's hearing loss is denied as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that a remand is required due to the failure to provide an adequate statement of reasons and bases addressing evidence and argument submitted by the Veteran regarding delayed-onset noise-induced hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran's impaired anal sphincter control associated with hemorrhoids is also rated as noncompensable.,For OSA and knee disorders, remand is required to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or caused by obesity resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, and coronary artery disease have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicide agents during his military service in Guam. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral otitis media with bilateral hearing loss has been denied, as the evidence does not support a higher rating. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability remains pending and is being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 100 percent disability rating, with total occupational and social impairment.,Bilateral hearing loss is not service connected as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for OSA is granted as it is at least as likely as not secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's spinal stenosis is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea or a sleep disorder, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if service connection is warranted.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a neck nerve disorder and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if service connection is warranted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and PTSD, MDD, and insomnia disorder.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of several issues, including service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased ratings for various disabilities, is inextricably intertwined with the need to obtain additional evidence. The appeals are therefore being remanded to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active duty and his symptoms have continued since service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for bilateral ankle disability is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.