Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left calf muscle atrophy and weakness were incurred in service, but there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, related to his service.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic hearing loss disability in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues currently under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded after this review.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that these conditions were incurred in active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the December 21, 1994 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for both issues, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to delays caused by obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely due to his service, specifically the loud noises he experienced during combat in Vietnam. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private audiometric examination records and clarifying whether a Maryland CNC speech discrimination test was used in previous examinations. A new VA examination is also required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, after a thorough review of all submitted evidence, including VA and private medical records, the Board finds that there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the fingers and toes, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder are all likely due to service exposure. As a result, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, as well as his tinnitus are found to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The TDIU claim is being remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely related to his in-service noise exposure.