Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service. The Veteran also had a cold injury to his hands in service, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if any current hand disability is related to this injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an audiometric examination and a Statement of the Case regarding the issue of service connection for hearing loss. The initial disability rating claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed as a result.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a bilateral knee disorder were all denied. The Veteran was not granted any initial evaluations or service connections.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as the criteria for direct service connection have been met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not have onset or aggravation during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, mood disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on inservice sexual assault.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable (0%) since April 19, 2007. The VA audiometric evaluations have consistently shown no worse than Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension (to include as due to diabetes mellitus Type II), or right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, with no evidence of a compensable disability rating.,There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for sleep apnea. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current sleep disorder is related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has also been denied as there is no medical evidence showing he currently suffers from these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral knee disability.,The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these conditions. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities and erectile dysfunction.