Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and for obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for right ear hearing loss and dizziness, as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between her in-service noise exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back, hearing loss, Achilles tendon, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service connected, as there is no competent and probative evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or aggravated by his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at entry and separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (to include major depressive disorder), and skin cancer have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss, which he argues is a result of multiple failed right ear surgeries. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the exact nature of the surgeries involved.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus could not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran was exposed to noise while in service but no chronic symptoms were noted at the time. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability were found to have onset during service, with subsequent manifestations. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The psychiatric issue remains inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence and for further development before a decision can be made on his initial compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and clarification of his SSA disability benefits status.

The Veteran's claim of a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including side-effects from narcotic pain medications.