Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and his in-service noise exposure. A new examination is required to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or significant hearing threshold shift. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to post-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset of his soft palate angioma. Additional examinations are required to clarify whether the condition existed prior to service or developed during service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown to be manifested by worse than level I hearing in the right ear and level II hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to conceded in-service military noise exposure. However, the case of bilateral hearing loss is remanded as no VA examiner provided an adequate opinion on its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression and psychosis have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for his low back disability has also been denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's anxiety disorder was found to be productive of occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. For the bilateral hearing loss claim, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for current hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran will be provided with another VA examination and a medical opinion is necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, particularly regarding his PTSD. The hearing loss case remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and heart disorder due to the receipt of additional relevant service records. The claims will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not considered a disability for VA purposes due to it being within normal limits, and the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma suffered during military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left foot crush injury residuals, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome remain denied.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left foot crush injury residuals, residuals of fractured ribs, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome remain denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence. The Board also found that these conditions are related to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The claim of service connection for bronchitis has been reopened and is granted. The claim for new and material evidence for right ear hearing loss was denied.