Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and liver cancer as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis C. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus, finding that it began during active-duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders are related to his military service, but the claims for right and left knee disorders need further examination as they were not addressed in the initial decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the compensable rating for a metallic foreign body (FB) left 5th finger, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C and residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,New evidence has been received, but it does not change the current disposition of these claims.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or actual hearing loss during service. The current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony at his June 2023 Board hearing provided credible evidence of in-service noise exposure, which is sufficient to establish service connection for tinnitus. However, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, while his back condition is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a skin disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is denied.,Service connection for the skin disability is established based on in-service exposure to sun and headgear restrictions.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for a scar on the back of the neck. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The VA will need to provide an addendum opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the appeal for service connection for right ear tinnitus was granted. The decision does not address specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's impairment of rectal sphincter control, post-hemorrhoidectomy, is granted with a 30 percent evaluation. The other conditions (bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids) are not rated as compensable.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include posttraumatic stress disorder, right knee limitations, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and other conditions. The evidence shows that the Veteran requires significant assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and attending to hygiene needs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain was denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hip disorder, hypertension, and lung disorder were granted. The claims for service connection for these conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure history.

The Board has determined that the May 2019 VA medical examination was inadequate and remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, but granted them. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. Claims for increased ratings of various hip and knee disorders, as well as left leg shin splints, were also denied.