Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also addressed the bifurcated issues of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear according to VA standards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence was not received to reopen his right wrist disorder claim, and the service-connected conditions of the knee did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or separate effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for pes planus, bilateral ankle disability, and tinnitus. The effective date remains at the date of receipt of the claim (April 10, 2009).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of suffering injuries related to an incident where he was blown across the flight deck from a jet engine blast.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion regarding representation and notification of the Statement of the Case. The Veteran's attorney needs more time to respond or provide additional evidence, and any relevant VA treatment records should be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that effective dates prior to October 14, 2003 for the left knee disability, June 11, 2002 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, neck disability, and back disability are related to his service in the United States Army National Guard.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as his request to extend a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Veteran's sciatic neuralgia is related to his active military service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, GERD, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons provided were that there was no confirmed diagnosis of these conditions in service or since service separation, and continuity of symptoms since service could not be established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability application documents. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any private treatment received since April 2010.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and secondary burns with scarring due to medication error on the left forearm. The Board finds that while the Veteran reported decreased hearing acuity in his left ear during service, there is no post-service evidence of a current disability as defined by VA regulation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected, as it was aggravated by his military service. The issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and gallbladder condition, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for gastritis with hiatal hernia, were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing and is awaiting such a hearing.