Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding his anxiety disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

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

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and reopening of service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, residuals of a blood clot in the lower abdomen, and bilateral hearing loss are all denied. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression), and alcohol and cannabis disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder, back, and right hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,There is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The hearing loss claim will be evaluated again, and the TDIU claim will be deferred until the rating issue is resolved.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the bilateral hearing loss disability claim. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to lack of verification of National Guard service and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate testing results and lack of an etiological opinion for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. A new VA examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis, assess the relationship between service and current hearing loss, and consider post-service noise exposure.