Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are not related to his military service, as evidenced by VA medical opinions. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification of whether he used his hearing aids during the VA examination, and for an addendum from the December 2012 VA examiner regarding the use of hearing aids.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than noncompensable prior to January 10, 2013 and is currently rated at 30 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for leg, back, neck, and wrist disorders are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of private medical treatment expenses are denied as the claims were received after the 90-day deadline and he did not meet all eligibility requirements under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tremors, finding that there was not enough evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his time in the Army as a combat engineer. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sickle cell anemia, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left knee disorder, and COPD. The evidence received since the April 1978 rating decision does not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the symptoms being continuous since separation from service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The claims are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The criteria for service connection are met, with tinnitus originating during active service and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss also originating during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation, resulting in a denial of his claim.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the right ear hearing loss claim due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a direct result of in-service acoustic trauma.