Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, but granted it for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing was not found to be a disability at any point during the appeal period. For his left ear hearing loss, the Board found that it manifested within one year of separation from service and is presumed to have been caused by in-service events.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including noise exposure or acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current vision problems, hearing loss, or tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, and continuity of symptoms is not established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records, particularly from the Veteran's National Guard service and his active duty periods. The case will be returned after further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further VA audiological evaluation, as the most recent examination did not accurately reflect the Veteran's current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that further examination is needed to determine if current hearing loss meets VA criteria.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for esophagitis and recurrent left lower quadrant pain due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss may have worsened, and he needs to be scheduled for a current VA examination to reassess the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma, while his hearing loss is less likely than not caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left knee injury and remanded the issue of initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to military service.,Specifically, there was no medical evidence showing an in-service onset of any of these conditions. The Veteran's STRs showed only one incident of low back pain treated with no further follow-up.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the issue of peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression). Right ear hearing loss is found to be aggravated by service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hand injury are being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will obtain updated treatment records, conduct a VA examination, and determine if the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and high blood pressure are related to his military service.