Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a closed head injury, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease were granted. The claim for an initial rating higher than 100 percent for ischemic heart disease from January 22, 2007 to April 30, 2007 was also granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to May 29, 2008 were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service exposure, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board instructions and the need for a new VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional audiogram records and provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA audiological examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues on appeal, including those related to hypertension, PTSD prior to April 30, 2015, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and essential hypertension are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA records, specifically audiometry test results from April 2008. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss will be returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a right hand disability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability and concluded that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board found that Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein nor is it proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and there is no combat experience to establish service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). Service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records and scheduling an audiologist examination. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss will be evaluated again.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an inability to contact him for the scheduled video conference hearing. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not originate during any period of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to any period of service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence showing it became manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for an updated VA examination to address the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his requested videoconference hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and for additional development.

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