Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bronchitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded these issues due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus has been granted. The case is remanded for further development, including an audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or lack of proper medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, lung disability, heart disability, and PVD. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure to jet engine fuel.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the valvular heart disease is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for valvular heart disease and heart valve replacement (claimed as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure) is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not being related to service or secondary to his diabetes.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for residuals of tympanic membrane perforation and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, request private treatment records related to ear infections, request the Veteran to submit a VA Form 21-8940 if he intends to pursue TDIU, and schedule an examination for his ears.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially-gainful occupation prior to September 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is remanded and will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right elbow and ear surgical scars, bilateral inner ear scars, bilateral hearing loss, left-hand ring finger disorder, left thigh disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and left foot disorder have all been granted based on service connection being presumed due to in-service noise exposure, surgeries, and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as a direct result of in-service noise exposure, and the Veteran's continuous symptoms since separation from service. The claim is now reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic bronchitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and ear conditions, including a perforated ear drum and hemorrhagic cyst.