Hearing loss decisions — 2018

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the presumption that these conditions are related to service exposure to noise.,Tinnitus was not diagnosed during service but the Veteran's statements of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty in the Army are considered credible.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 31, 2014 for service connection of right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and residual scar associated with lumbar spine IVDS.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted as service connected. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level I in the left ear and Level III in the right ear. The Board finds that his hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension due to discrepancies in the service treatment records and outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to exposure to hazardous noise during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in service, and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new audiological examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition. The propriety of reducing his rating from 30 percent to 10 percent effective June 1, 2013 is also under review.

The appeals for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and nose disability have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

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

Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The claim for service connection for Parkinson's Disease is being remanded due to unresolved issues regarding exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hypertension and remanded other issues related to service connection. The Veteran's claims are also remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and increased ratings. The gastric cancer claim is inextricably intertwined with the cause of death claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 9, 2018. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were not granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Bilateral hearing loss disability was granted as it met the criteria for current disability and continuity of symptoms since service. Tinnitus was denied due to lack of in-service complaints and delayed onset.