Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and has persisted, warranting service connection. The claims for hearing loss, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest within one year of separation from service and is not shown to be causally related to his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus result in a combined evaluation of 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression). The Board has dismissed these matters as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His claim for service connection for otitis media was also denied.

The Board has determined that the case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and addressing the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted as her service connection for this condition is established.,Her bilateral hearing loss claim to reopen was denied due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. The VA will provide a new examination to assess the current severity of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right ankle disability, sleep apnea, GERD, sinus disability, pes planus (flatfoot), and right knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran claims that his sleep apnea may be related to military service. The VA will provide a new examination to assess whether this condition was caused by or is the result of his military service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for GERD, which he believes may be related to in-service gastrointestinal issues. A VA examination will determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his sinus disability may be linked to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for pes planus (flatfoot), which he believes was aggravated by military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his right knee disability may be related to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, neck disability and increased evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain are being reopened. The issues have been remanded to ensure proper development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not due to acoustic trauma experienced during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in the United States Army Reserves, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be at least in equipoise with service connection, granted based on noise exposure during active duty.,A painful and tender residual scar associated with a left herniorrhaphy is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and its relationship to service. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, as the evidence showed manifestations of the disability prior to March 25, 2013.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established based on direct evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of service connection for asbestosis and an earlier effective date for the increased rating award of 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has experienced continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss since his active service, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.