Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the current right ear hearing loss had its onset during service. The claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities and incomplete private records/opinions, requiring further development in attempt to clarify the Veteran's current diagnosis and etiology of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled videoconference hearing. Service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right shoulder disability is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has credible reports of in-service noise exposure and current symptoms, which are sufficient to establish a link between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service, and the Board finds that all elements necessary for establishing service connection are met. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were previously denied in September 1996. The most recent denial was in November 2007, where the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.,The claim for service connection for dizziness (Meniere's disease with episodic dizziness) is also denied as there is no direct or secondary service connection established.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and stressors. Service connection is also granted for alcohol abuse secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities have been rated at 30 percent each, and his bilateral hearing loss has also been evaluated. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and finds that his bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to ensure a complete record and readjudicate the claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and residuals of a fracture of the right fifth finger.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the claims to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and finds that it is related to his military service. The evidence shows he experienced acoustic trauma during flight training, and current medical opinions support a finding of a nexus between his current hearing loss and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for a VA audiology examination and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need to obtain VA audiology records from VAMC Newington.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/privately obtained medical records. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and bowel disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.