Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bronchitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The claim for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year after separation. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, IVDS of the lumbar spine prior to July 28, 2015, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations for his claimed bilateral wrist/hand disabilities and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and requests for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a need for an examination and opinion by an ENT doctor reviewing relevant medical studies.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right median nerve, shell fragment wound of the right thigh with right trochanteric pain condition, residuals of status post shell fragment wound of the right forearm, and residuals of shell fragment wound of the right arm, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability, and the Board finds that his claimed disabilities are not related to military service. The Veteran has also had his claims withdrawn for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep disorder, rib injury, and kidney injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it was not addressed regarding service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted as it is etiologically related to his service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The Board also finds that there is a reasonable possibility that the current bilateral hearing loss may be related to noise exposure during active service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and disequilibrium, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's hearing loss disability may have been caused by service, but a definitive opinion is needed to determine this.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a torn rotator cuff of the left shoulder. The Veteran's CAD is rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding service treatment records and occupational audiograms from the Veteran's railroad switchman job. The case is REMANDED for further development.