Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left parietal tumor resection (removal of brain tumor), and presbyopia due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence or testimony.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The appellant served in the Air Force Reserves with exposure to loud noises, including during a trip to Honduras where she reported an explosion causing her tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for updated VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate evidence at the time of the April 2020 rating decision. The claims will be reconsidered with additional information from the Veteran, verification of his claimed stressors, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with no service-connected left ear hearing loss. The Board found that the audiometric results did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The claims for lower right back pain, right knee injury, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are granted on the merits. The claim for a headache disorder (migraines) and TBI remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, scars, and TDIU was denied. The VA also determined that the Veteran is not eligible for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left groin strain, right groin strain, skin condition (excluding pseudofolliculitis barbae), and right ear hearing loss have all been denied.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed left or right groin strain or skin condition (other than pseudofolliculitis barbae) disability. The Veteran's post-service treatment records do not reflect any symptoms that cause functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since May 31, 2016. The claim for service connection for a stroke and its secondary conditions have been remanded due to new evidence suggesting the stroke may be related to uncontrolled hypertension during the decade prior to his stroke.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension (HTN) as the appellant failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type 2 (DM II), was denied as there is no evidence of in-service disease or injury and no causal relationship between DM II and service-connected HTN.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the appellant did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, right foot disability, sinusitis, and right ear hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disabilities are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's pulmonary nodule of the lungs are not shown to have been incurred in service or the result of an in-service disease or injury. Service connection is remanded for hearing loss, pulmonary nodule of the lungs, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, specifically addressing whether it is related to in-service noise exposure with delayed onset.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, GERD, left leg shin splint, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and respiratory condition. The Veteran is presumed to have toxic exposure in service due to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diverticulosis, diseases of the nail on his left foot, hemorrhoids, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiometric records. The issues of service connection for a skin condition, lower back condition, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are all pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, efforts should be made to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors related to PTSD, confirm the existence of service treatment records (STRs) regarding his right knee injury, and obtain updated medical opinions on these issues.