Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including right foot pain, left leg pain, inability to walk fast, inability to put pressure on fingers, right ankle disability, back disability, tendonitis of the left elbow, bilateral hearing loss disorder, psychiatric disability (claimed as bipolar disorder), diabetes mellitus, visual acuity disorder (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus), and kidney failure (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus).

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for prostate cancer and TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, but the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that he incurred hearing loss during service. The decision grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not caused by or a result of his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his current hearing impairment is at Level IV in both ears.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring the claims file is complete.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder strain with arthritis, and left shoulder sprain with arthritis are related to service. The Board also found no evidence of a cardiovascular disability or hypertension with shortness of breath during service or within one year following discharge from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were granted increased ratings, while service connection for peripheral neuropathy was established. The Veteran also received a TDIU rating since November 25, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left Bell's palsy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information and medical examinations regarding his claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left jaw disability, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private medical records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus having its onset in service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions during his active duty. A VA examination report concluded that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service injuries and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is linked to his current condition. The claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and pterygium are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand disability and found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination.