Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The right shoulder disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed under the theory of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA compensation examinations provided for the Veteran are inadequate and remands the case to obtain additional opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye disabilities.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all issues on appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not attributable to his military service, and exposure to hazardous environmental agents employed in Project SHAD may be presumed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his hepatitis C claim will also be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss, PTSD, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is found to be related to her service, and she is granted service connection for this condition. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to her service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability originated during his period of active duty due to noise exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure resulting in current hearing loss, and there is no indication of chronicity post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service head injury, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the effective date of service connection. The VA audiologists found that his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and these conditions are not otherwise shown to be associated with his active service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is a result of exposure to loud noise during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left ear hearing loss, cardiac disorder, back disability, and neck disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.