Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinion found that his current conditions were more likely due to civilian work rather than military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from December 21, 2006, to August 18, 2009, due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Bilateral Hearing Loss. The decision found no credible evidence supporting these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as a review of her claims file. The issues include service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to noise exposure during active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as an audiometry examination was not conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure were considered but found to be insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA physician has linked these conditions to his active service, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, a bilateral hand disability, and back disability. The Board found that while the Veteran had these conditions, there was no evidence to support their direct relationship with his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the audiometric test results and conflicting opinions from different VA examiners.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, but the case is remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and a vocational rehabilitation folder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified, is service-connected. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of bilateral flat feet, but there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology dating back to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are service-connected, with no current disability for right ear hearing loss.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will also be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy, as well as an opinion regarding his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.