Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board finds that service connection for a GI disorder, to include GERD, is warranted as the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's GI disability, to include GERD, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is also granted service connection for tinnitus as it was incurred in active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood (equipoise) that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 11, 2012 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of coronary artery disease is granted and rated at 60 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD with a depressive disorder is granted and rated at 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claims for diabetes mellitus and eye disorder manifested by loss of sight, and these claims are reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bradycardia is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left renal cyst is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The tinnitus is related to noise exposure during ACDUTRA in the Naval Reserve, while the hearing loss does not appear to be related to service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 29, 2010.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a back disability and found no new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The effective date for service connection for a left shoulder disability remains September 12, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a travel Board hearing. The AOJ should confirm the Veteran's current address and reschedule the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's claims for a foot disability are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with no indication of aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his left ear hearing loss disability and low back disability are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma and finds that service connection for this condition should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are service-connected based on continuity of symptoms since service, without requiring a direct nexus to in-service acoustic trauma.