Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements about long-term symptoms are not considered in the current examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of perforated ear drum, bilateral hearing loss, and otitis media with otitis externa due to insufficient evidence regarding current disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for lower back pain and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for convalescence through November 30, 2016, for right shoulder rotator cuff surgery. The issue of service connection for a bilateral ear disability is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran's exposure to noise during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss disability, with the effective date set by the RO.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for his left knee brace was denied because the evidence did not document continued use of the device, including no sign of recent maintenance or replacement.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left foot edema, and right foot edema on the basis of direct service connection. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure leading to current bilateral hearing loss, as well as his reported swelling during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) which was found to be related to walking while on duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for joint pain, migraine headaches, PTSD, and left ear hearing loss due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since then.

The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of service treatment records (STRs). The Veteran will be asked to provide alternative forms of evidence, such as 'buddy certificates' and letters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to service, including acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to be provided with a VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle disorder. Bilateral hearing loss is linked to acoustic trauma during active service. Tinnitus is also linked to in-service noise exposure. The right ankle disorder is believed to have started due to an injury sustained while on active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was reopened due to new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure, which is consistent with his military duties as a photographer on deck and artillery gunner. The medical opinion supports a finding of nexus between the Veteran’s current hearing loss and tinnitus and his service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted.