Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a continuity of symptomatology or in-service noise exposure related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 10, 2000, to June 19, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for COPD due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if COPD is related to service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for cataracts and hearing loss have been denied.,Other issues, including a claim for prostate cancer, are being remanded.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both found to be related to service. Service connection is denied for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.,Secondary service connection claims for eye disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. His current rating for bullous emphysema remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, while the claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, precludes him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle injury residuals, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are new symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right ankle, hearing loss, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, chronic urination (neurogenic bladder), and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral feet require further examination and opinion due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. After reviewing all relevant evidence, including VA and private medical opinions, the Board finds that there is at least an equipoise of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as a direct result of noise exposure during his military service, and the Board affirms this decision based on continuity of symptoms from service to current diagnosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding aggravation and a lack of pre-service audiometric data.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.