Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a neck disability were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The Board found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea or a neck disability due to his service, and his current diagnoses were more likely related to post-service factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 6, 2011 for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim filed before this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is incurred during active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's request to reopen these claims is addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the reduction of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss to 10 percent was proper as there was actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and seizure disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of a TBI during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no significant threshold shifts during service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim for reopening of the knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss disability that is the result of noise exposure from gunfire and artillery training during her approximately 17 years of active service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral pes planus and ingrown toenails have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing conditions in service but did not aggravate them during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2012, and a 30 percent rating since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for distal sensory polyneuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending.

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

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The claim of an increased disability rating for right anterior leg tibialis muscle hernia has also been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining Air Force service personnel records and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, and several types of neuropathy. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.