Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine if he currently has right ear hearing loss disability. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The current grant of service connection is based on medical opinions indicating a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of bilateral ear surgery, including tinnitus, are granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his active service, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and new evidence submitted at his hearing. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not reached a level that warrants a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was aggravated during service, and his tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have had an onset during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left ankle injury, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and gastrointestinal disorder (chronic diarrhea) is denied.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU based on his hearing loss disability are moot due to the improper reduction of his rating, which must be restored. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus, but denied the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, increased evaluations, and service connection were denied. The heart disability was granted an effective date of April 27, 2009, but the hearing loss and psychiatric disorder did not warrant compensable ratings. Service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining personnel records and a VA examination. The appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated in light of his service with the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.