Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected, as it is a result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development due to conflicting evidence on causation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial was found to be cumulative and not new or material.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied it for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's ED, MDD with anxiety, and brain atrophy are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a link between current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.,The Board remanded the claim for peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure, noting insufficient rationale for the VA examiner's opinion and requesting further clarification from medical opinions provided by Drs. M.H. and N.S.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address whether his hearing loss clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, if so, whether it was aggravated in service beyond its natural progression, and whether any increase in severity is due to the natural progress of the condition or aggravation by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the conditions began during military service and are related to exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he failed to provide the necessary employment information and did not report for scheduled VA examinations, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and headaches were denied as service connection was not established.,An initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, effective prior to February 10, 2012 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, and an effective date prior to February 10, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss were also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities due to new evidence showing possible in-service onset of symptoms.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability as it meets the definition of a present disability under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The left inguinal hernia claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to missing records, need for new examinations, and the need for VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeals for increased disability ratings for insomnia disorder and bilateral hearing loss, leading to their dismissal.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability meeting VA criteria. The examiner also noted that the Veteran did not have significant threshold shifts at separation and within one year of separation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while tinnitus is found to be secondary to the now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep disturbances, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD during active duty and his current diagnoses were related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and bilateral high frequency hearing loss, collectively prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.