Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service exposure to loud noises while working on an aircraft carrier.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Specifically, upon remand, VA must obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the evidence does not show that he continuously prosecuted his claims within one year of the February 2010 rating decision.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for right and left foot neuromas, and remanded the claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss (BHL), service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and returned the claims of bilateral hearing loss and right foot condition to the RO for further development. The decision on the right foot condition is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing his delayed-onset condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for a hyperthyroidism rating. The appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied because she does not have a disability. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for her left shoulder disability, requesting clarification on whether it is for the right or left shoulder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than a Level II hearing impairment in the right ear, and a Level IV hearing impairment in the left ear, each of which corresponds to a noncompensable rating. As such, the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation of bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable effective May 1, 2019, was proper and denied the Veteran's request to restore the rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for mesothelioma/respiratory condition, myopia (claimed as visual disorder), hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The claims were previously denied in February 2013 and March 2016 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The low back disability claim is remanded due to new evidence being submitted after the February 2020 Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hearing loss and back disability claims are remanded for additional development. The shoulder condition claims are also remanded, but the nature of the left shoulder condition is unclear.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the Veteran's lay testimony of symptoms occurring since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with verifying an in-service stressor and obtaining VA treatment records. A new PTSD examination is needed, as well as a new opinion on bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to insufficient evidence. The claim for PTSD remains pending.