Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the appellant's exact dates of service and obtain VA treatment records. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The hearing loss and eye disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied, as he does not have a disabling hearing loss. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer with impotence status post prostatectomy and rectal radiation burns with nerve trauma and fecal incontinence associated with prostate cancer with impotence status post prostatectomy, have resulted in a combined schedular evaluation of 90 percent. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence shows that these disabilities prevent the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current disability of left ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulation.

The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by competent medical evidence, and the causal relationship between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD is established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and headache disorder are related to his period of service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to exposure to hazardous noise levels during active service, specifically his duties at the rear mount 'Battle Station' aboard ship. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left knee disability. Specifically, clarification from the private examiner regarding speech discrimination scores in July 2013 audiological examination is required, as well as obtaining relevant VA treatment records and any non-duplicative private treatment records. Additionally, the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA joint examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), alcohol abuse disorder, acid reflux, and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding exposure to Camp Lejeune and environmental toxins.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, hypertension, and a kidney disorder are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding in-service psychiatric treatment records and diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for alcohol abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification regarding the relationship between his alcohol use and any diagnosed mental health conditions.,The Veteran's claim for acid reflux is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss did not become manifest during service, within one year of discharge from service, or is otherwise related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing or videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical evidence, but the in-service injury is not shown to have caused or resulted in chronic symptoms of a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's CAD is granted as service connected, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease are dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's conditions, including diabetes and its related complications, are not service connected. The Board denied the claims for service connection based on lack of evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.