Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, cytologic atypia, thyroid condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and panic disorder), and fibrocystic breast condition. The VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of her bilateral hearing loss, TBI, ventricular premature complexes, and the nature and etiology of her cytologic atypia, thyroid condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and fibrocystic breast condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for an eye disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise on whether these conditions are related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his claimed conditions.

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

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

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus 2. The claims for reopening of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal symptoms, and pulmonary/respiratory symptoms due to Gulf War service and exposures therein are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, a chronic disability manifested by loss of memory, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim for vitiligo remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including recurrent headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back pain, knee problems, PTSD, hypertension, heart issues, pulmonary conditions, vision problems, and fatigue. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and conduct examinations to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, chronic right and left earaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral hip disorder due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of any in-service events or injuries that could be linked to her current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Hearing Loss in the right ear. The Board found that the Veteran's MS manifested to a compensable degree by August 1996, within the applicable presumptive period. For hearing loss, the Board found that there is at least as much evidence supporting the claim of noise exposure during service leading to current hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board has ordered further development for the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. His PTSD is granted a higher rating to 70 percent, effective May 23, 2011. The other conditions (urinary condition, bronchitis, urticaria) have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private hearing test records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability. The bilateral hip disability is granted as aggravated by service.