Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence, and concluded that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient examination reports and conflicting audiometric findings. Further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA audiologic examination, is required.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records, arranging for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but his claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending as the evidence is in equipoise.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's dermatitis or eczema was diagnosed after discharge.,There is no current skin disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are inextricably intertwined as the outcome of one may affect the other.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and granted an initial 10% rating for each foot for bilateral plantar fasciitis, but the ratings are subject to rules governing payment of VA monetary benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from the Veteran's former employer and private treatment facilities.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction. The decision is based on new evidence received since the last final denial, which relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating is at least 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear high frequency hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is a relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability and finds that it is less likely than not related to his military service. The claim for erectile dysfunction secondary to diabetes mellitus and heart disease is also denied as there is no evidence of record linking these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, right leg thrombosis and cellulitis, left leg thrombosis and cellulitis, PTSD, and Depressive Disorder NOS have been granted. The appeals are resolved in the Veteran's favor.