Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has denied a compensable initial rating for right ear hearing loss and has remanded the service connection claim for left ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and active duty service.,New evidence submitted by the Appellant did not change the outcome as the medical opinions still concluded that her hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss disability did not permanently increase in severity during service and is unrelated to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date prior to March 17, 2021 for service connection and rating of psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran needs to provide evidence that he submitted a complete application before March 17, 2021 and VA treatment records from Dr. Cobb.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,The Veteran was provided with a VA examination for PTSD in July 2022, but the examiner did not diagnose PTSD based on DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the service connection claim for metastatic lung cancer. The Veteran's death precludes further action on these claims.

The Veteran's VA disability compensation benefits were reduced due to his felony incarceration, which was proper as he was incarcerated for more than 61 days and received his first payment on October 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his hearing loss issues. The AOJ will consider any additional evidence submitted during the remand process.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring another VA examination for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his loud noise exposure during active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional records from correctional facilities where the Veteran served.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for PTSD, lower back disability, tinnitus, insomnia, and hearing loss was granted. The Board found new and material evidence in support of the PTSD claim, but denied reopening of the lower back disability claim due to lack of material evidence. Tinnitus is service-connected as it manifested during active duty. Hearing loss and insomnia are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's thoracic muscle strain and right ear hearing loss are granted as service connected.,An initial noncompensable disability rating is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal seeking a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable disabilities has been dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities and exposure to military noise. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for a lower back condition is granted. The Board finds that service connection is warranted based on in-service events and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and obstructive sleep apnea was granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records, while the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's arthritis of the neck and ankylosing spondylitis are both found to be secondary to his service-connected psoriasis.