Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, left ankle sprain, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disturbance are all found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims is due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and the case is being remanded for another examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1989 rating decision. The Veteran's sensory deficit of the left lower extremity and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis remain pending issues, as does his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right ear otitis media and left ear hearing loss are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board is granting the benefit sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it meets VA requirements for consideration as a disability and there is in-service acoustic trauma. The right eye disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted since the prior final denial.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not reopened because no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus for VA purposes and finds against service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is not a preponderance of evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation benefits due to their current ratings and lack of qualifying conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is not related to service and denied service connection. The right ear hearing loss claim was remanded for additional examination, but no new rating decision has been issued yet.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board is remanding the remaining claims for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected PTSD. The Board grants service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially evaluated as 30% prior to July 17, 2013. From that date onwards, the rating was increased to 50%. The hearing loss claim has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and his left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected.