Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining additional VA treatment records and SSA records, which are relevant to his claim. The case will be readjudicated after these records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and ischemic heart disease are related to his military service, while bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including verifying the Veteran's current address and obtaining VA treatment records. The Veteran will also need to undergo VA examinations for his hearing loss, otitis media, and heart disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal of the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a back disability, bilateral lower extremity disability, and heart disability. The issues of service connection for a TDIU have been remanded.

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

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a scar, status post laparoscopy was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active service. The other claims remain pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran was also denied a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted a rating of at least 50 percent for service-connected PTSD, effective March 18, 2008. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and hearing loss, as well as service connection for heart disability and morbid obesity are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of bilateral hearing loss, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (claimed as a heart condition), and diabetes mellitus type 2. The Veteran's service records show he was stationed in Hawaii during the time Agent Orange testing was conducted there.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, provide an updated VA examination, and consider new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss on his ability to work. The issue will also be reviewed for extraschedular TDIU consideration if he does not meet schedular criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by active duty service. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no clear evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss requires additional development and remands the case back to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for an opinion on whether a service-connected disability caused or contributed to cause the Veteran's death, specifically addressing his in-service cardiorespiratory arrest and its potential relation to any heart disorder that led to his fatal myocardial infarction.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the hearing loss claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if his current hearing loss is related to military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma.