Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, colon cancer, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied. The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU claim. The issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are part of the pending increased rating claim.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely the result of noise exposure during his military service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking his claimed stressors to his current symptoms. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder are also pending.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, obesity, right ear hearing loss, and chronic sinusitis is not warranted.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted but remains non-compensable.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of proper notice for a scheduled Board hearing. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10% disability rating for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for right hip injury prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits, finding no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active military service and the Board found in favor of granting service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to loud noises from weapons fire. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine the relationship between his bilateral hearing loss disability and active duty service, including noise exposure from artillery fire in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, left elbow tenosynovitis/epicondylitis, muscle pain in the upper back, muscle pain in the neck, and pes planus have all been granted.,Service connection has also been established for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his active service, including noise exposure during service. The appeal was denied.