Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim for chronic bronchitis is also granted due to its association with military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not incurred during his period of active duty from July 2002 to June 2006, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss due to service, but ultimately denies service connection as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of non-service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions, as well as service connection for PTSD, anxiety, right ear hearing loss, bilateral chondromalacia of the knees (secondary to periostitis), and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The case is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the right eye disability issue. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted. The other issues on appeal are pending further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO previously denied these claims in 2008 due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event or injury related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The skin disability is not yet established as being directly related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess whether these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. No new evidence or decisions are provided.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and is not related to his service, including in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been granted service connection. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, and the claim for a skin disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and audiometric test results. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty in Vietnam. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left ear hearing loss disability has been denied as the evidence does not support a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's hearing impairment evaluation schedule.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service noise exposure and that his separation audiogram demonstrated normal hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service, and thus denied both claims.