Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions.,All issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine condition, and traumatic brain injury will be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not incur these conditions during active duty or due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to September 3, 2020. However, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss as of September 3, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus and bilateral tinea pedis. The Veteran reported experiencing these conditions since service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as his disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular or extraschedular rating, and he does not require regular aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and eye disability have been reopened, but the matter is remanded to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and the TDIU claim prior to that date were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent or 70 percent for PTSD prior to September 28, 2021, and after that date, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, and left knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The appeal with respect to the Veteran's prostate disability is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye disability and a bilateral hearing loss disability due to inadequate VA examinations, failure to obtain private treatment records, and insufficient reasons and bases in the decision.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The decision is final as the Veteran's claims are no longer before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability meets the criteria and there is a causal relationship to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents during service. The PTSD claim has been remanded for further review.,Service connection for PTSD was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, as they are not rated at 60% or more combined with other disabilities. The Board found that he can still secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a left knee disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of the claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right ear hearing loss, and back condition have been granted service connection. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others remain pending.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, and radicular disorder of the bilateral lower extremities (sciatica) as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability ratings have been restored to 10 percent effective November 1, 2019.,The reduction in the rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper. The appeal for restoration of a 10 percent rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left and right ankles, as well as right and left knee disabilities have all been denied. The evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability began during service or is related to his service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending with new evidence received since previous decisions.