Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression) and a bilateral knee disability.

The appeal of the claim for PTSD and increased rating for tinnitus are dismissed.,The appeals for reinstatement of left metatarsal and knee disabilities ratings, as well as entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and a left ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right hamstring disorder, but has remanded the cases for further development. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for right hamstring disorder remains on appeal due to lack of a diagnosed condition during the period on appeal. The left knee RPPS rating is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as service-connected, with the Board concluding that there is no persuasive evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and active service.,PTSD is remanded for further development including verification of stressors and provision of a VA psychiatric opinion.,An acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (to include depression and anxiety) is also remanded, with the same considerations as PTSD.,Essential tremors of the left and right hands are remanded due to their potential connection to PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including back condition, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right ankle condition, ganglion cyst, GI condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level II in the right ear and no worse than Level III in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from April 1, 2017, through September 9, 2018.,As of September 10, 2018, the Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100%, making the issue moot and dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and leg conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral ankle, knee, and OSA disabilities. Service connection has also been granted for left ear hearing loss but denied for right ear hearing loss.,Remaining issues of service connection are remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service or within one year after separation. The examiner also found that the current hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes rather than noise exposure in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his conditions are related to service or pre-existing conditions. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and remanded the issues of increased rating for left-sided Bell's palsy and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since April 30, 2007. The Board found that the current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's pes planus was granted a 50% rating prior to September 22, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no evidence of a compensable rating throughout the appeal period.,For Crohn's Disease with hiatal hernia, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 12, 2023 or 60 percent thereafter. The Board finds no evidence of severe impairment of health due to symptoms such as pain, vomiting, material weight loss, and hematemesis.,The Veteran's OSA is currently rated at 50 percent, but a remand is necessary for the VA examiner to assess whether his disability has worsened since his last examination over ten years ago.,For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A remand is necessary for the VA examiner to evaluate the current severity and nature of his symptoms.