Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. However, his claims for digestive disorder and hypertension remain pending as the VA examinations did not provide sufficient opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right hand disability, an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss in either ear or a nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and military noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The decision is based on direct evidence, as there was no need to reopen the claim for hypertension due to new material evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hand cold injury has been granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and TDIU are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of acoustic trauma or chronic symptoms during service. The March 2015 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes (presbycusis) rather than noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a disability manifested by loss of smell, or a sleep disability (to include sleep apnea).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus service connection is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. His PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS is rated at 50% effective April 23, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The appeals regarding rheumatoid arthritis and malaria have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.