Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss prevented him from initiating or completing a program of education during the period from July 1995 to July 2005. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not established for a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or being otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's tinnitus symptoms and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to clarify when his tinnitus began, provide details about any private treatment or testing related to his hearing loss and/or tinnitus, and obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are currently under appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this is the appropriate evaluation given the audiometric results and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted in this case.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they arose during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of lay evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and development were not substantially completed, and thus the appeal is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a 100% rating effective October 12, 2011. No other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local regional office. The case will be returned to the AOJ after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.,The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, which are conceded by VA. He also seeks service connection for pneumonia residuals, digestive disability (claimed as food poisoning), hypertension, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for pneumonia residuals, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of pneumonia, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically his exposure to loud machinery and mortar/rocket attacks in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is found to be due to noise exposure during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus originated during his active service and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not causally related to his active service, as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The earliest clinical records showing these disabilities were over 47 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore REMANDED.