Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the exception of the claim for hypertension which was withdrawn prior to appeal certification. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and service noise trauma, but accepted his credible account of tinnitus onset in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an abdominal scar, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The initial noncompensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and PTSD, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is presumed for these conditions due to exposure in Vietnam or Thailand during military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service. The only condition found with chronicity in service was sinusitis, which has been resolved and does not have residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was referred back to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus before the Board could make a decision. The issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise from ordnance testing. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran likely has hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his period of active military service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local RO.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to events in active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Coronary artery disease was currently manifested by a workload of greater than 5 METs, left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of greater than 50 percent, and no episodes of congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, effective June 1, 2004. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his exposure to loud noise in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as there is evidence of in-service noise exposure and current symptoms. The hearing loss claim will be remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are incurred during active service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on his pending claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings higher than 10 percent for chondromalacia of the knees and for service connection for vertigo, to be further developed by the RO. The remaining claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being adjudicated.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.