Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active service, and the Board finds that his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued to the present.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension did not have their clinical onset in service or were otherwise related to active duty. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was addressed separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to service, including exposure to acoustic trauma in combat service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with equipoise in the evidence supporting this determination.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for hearing loss or Meniere's disease as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, alcohol abuse, and cirrhosis of the liver. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, but his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were both rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely related to his in-service noise exposure and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year after separation, and it is not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney disorder, sleep apnea, hearing loss, and stomach disorder (GERD) are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur bilateral hearing loss during or as a result of service and his lay assertions regarding continuity of symptomatology were not credible.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The claim for PTSD with major depression was not granted as the Veteran failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 8, 2014 was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for tinnitus as his current disability does not have a nexus to military service. For the period prior to May 8, 2014, the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least in equipoise with service connection, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a gunshot wound of the left wrist are being remanded. The claim for an effective date prior to July 1, 2008 for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th ed., that is related to a verified stressor event.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no competent evidence establishing that the condition is related to disease or injury or other event in active service. The first manifestation of diabetes mellitus type II occurred many years after service separation and it was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disorder or bilateral knee disability that was incurred in service. The VA examiner found no link between current degenerative joint disease and service, including the single episode of back pain during service.,Regarding hearing loss, the Veteran's post-service medical records show sensorineural hearing loss, which is presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure during service.