Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current left hearing loss disability, but granted service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities. Service connection was also denied for personality disorder, testicular disability, right inguinal hernia, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, for service connection for a bilateral foot disability including as secondary to the service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disk disease, and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD including as secondary to the service connected head injury residuals.

The Board found that a bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown to have had onset during service, and the current hearing loss disability is unrelated to noise exposure in service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The appellant contends that his current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but there are no service treatment records available.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current scar on his right leg and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an upper respiratory disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, clarification of a previous opinion, and another VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically noise exposure during training. The Veteran's current COPD is presumed due to asbestos exposure in service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not linked to herbicide exposure in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting the VA definition of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains at 10 percent, as his hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest within one year of discharge and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a scheduling issue for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The issues of service connection and increased disability evaluation remain pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now reviewed on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current bilateral hearing loss related to his military service, and also found evidence of a current diagnosis of hypertension. However, the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or at separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and personnel records. The VA audiological opinion will be obtained based on noise exposure as a driver in a Motor Transportation unit.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, and a 50 percent rating for PTSD has been granted effective from November 29, 2011.

The Veteran's DRO election form was not submitted within the required 60-day period, and therefore his appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for it. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, however, does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for sleep apnea or PTSD.,PTSD is not currently diagnosed.