Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to February 8, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA examiners found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated nasal septum, obstructive sleep apnea, left knee injury, low back disability (claimed as secondary to a left knee injury), right shoulder disability (claimed as right shoulder bursitis), and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, and blood disorder as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions at any point during the pendency of the claim.,For the heart disorder, the VA examiner found that it was less likely than not proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected liver abscess and its associated septicemia.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Veteran's current condition is considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure. For bilateral hearing loss, there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video hearing and because he requested another hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling of the requested hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service separation, absence of a diagnosis within one year post-service, and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The initial rating for PTSD prior to October 30, 2015 was granted and rated at 30 percent; after that date it was increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the regulatory threshold not being met. However, it granted service connection for left ear hearing loss as a disability recognized by VA standards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues and additional evidentiary development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to a congenital defect or disease and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a genitourinary disorder, to include testicular pain and prostatitis. The appeals for the other issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.