Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and a condition manifesting with tingling, numbness, and itchiness are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been withdrawn.,New evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening of claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically whether it is related to service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets VA criteria.,PTSD and lumbar spine disability ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, right and left-hand carpal tunnel, lower back condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent rating for IVDS prior to October 13, 2016 was denied. The Veteran did not file a timely appeal after the November 2011 decision.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left second toe scar is dismissed as he did not file a timely appeal of the December 2009 rating decision that granted service connection with an effective date of November 26, 2008.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied. The evidence does not show penile deformity or other impairment associated with erectile dysfunction.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and there are no incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a 60 percent rating under the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted as his education and work history prevented him from performing employment duties due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, PTSD, joint condition, and dental condition are remanded as new evidence has been submitted that may reopen these previously denied claims.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded as new evidence has been submitted that may reopen this previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder), bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disorder (to include as secondary to claimed right knee disorder) due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition (claimed as fallen arches), left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right elbow disorder, bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder, and sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral lower extremity dry skin disorder due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea due to incomplete STRs and lack of VA examination prior to the February 2019 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been dismissed. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss was related to service. The decision on this issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no causal relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is found to be secondary to his BPPV, and he is granted service connection for BPPV. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied extraschedular ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, finding that the Veteran experienced reduced hearing acuity during service and since then. The decision is based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered presumptively service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's current tinnitus is presumed service-connected as it has been shown to be continuous since his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a VA examination and additional development due to insufficient evidence to resolve the Veteran's contention that his bilateral hearing loss is related to service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for a new evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been dismissed. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the claims and the appeals were not properly perfected.

The Board has dismissed the claim for right ear hearing loss as it was granted in a prior decision. The left ear hearing loss issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to evidence showing his service-connected disabilities make him unable to work in a physical environment, and he is not meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for diabetes mellitus is secondary to presumed herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, but he does not have current hearing loss as defined by VA standards.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and chronic disability due to anger issues, all of which are associated with his 2008 deployment.