Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to military noise exposure and he was granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. However, the Veteran's military service is not shown to have aggravated his pre-existing left ear hearing loss or caused any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, skin problems/disorder, heel spurs, headaches/migraines, dizziness/vertigo, leg pain, CFS, and lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability in most cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for sinus disorder is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its etiology, presuming it was present at service entrance. The claim for tinnitus is also remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether noise exposure in service caused or aggravated the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma were denied. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating for the right leg scar was withdrawn by the Veteran. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which is now granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and addressing issues related to service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or noise exposure related to his current disabilities. The most probative evidence is against a finding of any current disability due to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining audiogram results and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service and grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his active service. The Veteran was exposed to noise during service and currently experiences these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 30 percent effective May 2014, and the Board found that this rating is appropriate from January 11, 2012 to March 15, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period based on audiometric testing results.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to service, specifically noise exposure during military service. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise attributable to active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.,Service connection is established for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent. The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The right knee disability claim was also denied, with a combined rating of 30 percent from February 25, 2009 through August 28, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The claim will be readjudicated after all relevant evidence has been considered.