Hearing loss decisions — 2014

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide him with a hearing and for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his hearing loss, gastrointestinal conditions, knee and elbow disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on severance of service connection for hearing loss and secondary service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, or hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus.,Right ear hearing loss has been found to be related to the Veteran's military noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that at least a portion of his right ear hearing loss is due to acoustic trauma during military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied his claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and COPD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during ACDUTRA and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence does not warrant such ratings based on the clinical findings from VA examinations over the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is referred to the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his condition may have worsened since the last VA examination in May 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the accuracy of the February 1964 audiometric data and to obtain an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's current respiratory disability related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cholecystectomy is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered to be related to his active service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diabetes and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss or for service connection for neck, upper back, left knee, or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, painful scars associated with skin cancer, tinnitus, and right hand arthritis, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ear injury, to include hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's atrophic toenail as residual to a left foot injury is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.