Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active service. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his service-connected coronary artery disease and addendum opinions regarding his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that these conditions are due to the Veteran's military service. The claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded as it requires additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran currently meets VA criteria for a diagnosis of Meniere's disease and if so, whether this condition is related to his military service or caused by his newly service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The decision found that there was no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing bilateral hearing loss during service, and that the Veteran is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions are more likely due to natural aging process, post-service noise exposure, or a combination of these factors.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, residuals of a gunshot wound of the left buttocks, and surgical scar of the left buttocks were all denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease was not reopened due to lack of material evidence.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the in-service noise exposure and the current disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's hearing loss or tinnitus were incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection was also denied for a mouth/jaw disorder due to lack of evidence showing such a condition exists. The claim for dental compensation purposes was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing a VA examination.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or the result of his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, status post antrectomy (also claimed as soft-tissue sarcoma), is presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is granted but not assigned a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely proximately due to or the result of her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for a gynecological disorder, claimed as vaginal discharge. Service connection has been granted for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an addendum opinion regarding his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding the evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their initial onset during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further examination.