Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of an increased rating for multiple sclerosis (MS). The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected MS.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dental disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is denied for left testicle disability due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

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

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, back disability, and neck disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss and temporary total evaluation are still pending and need further examination and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities related to such exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, injury to the right hand fingers, and diabetes mellitus due to lack of a causal relationship established by VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and the propriety of its reduction to 0 percent is being remanded due to unclear Maryland CNC speech discrimination test results in his March 2018 private audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right hip disability claim which was denied. The left hip and back disabilities are now considered service-connected.

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

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for low back condition and neck condition as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of in-service noise exposure during combat service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his passing during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability on secondary basis, hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The claims are all granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD have been remanded for further development. The Board found that the current ratings are appropriate, but the issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle arthritis, and left leg condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant. The cases for coronary artery disease and mood disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus need further examination and consideration. The case is being remanded to allow for additional evidence to be added to the file and for a new VA examination.