Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and the retrieval of outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically addressing whether these conditions are related to service or noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and an examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be readjudicated after this process.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of etiology opinions regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear disorders. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's hearing loss has worsened since the last examination, and a new VA examination is needed to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise during active service and that his current conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a supplemental VA medical opinion due to new evidence submitted by his representative.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and in excess of 70 percent from September 15, 2016 for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, foot, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not present during or related to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service, specifically noise exposure. The issue of whether the hearing loss is aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus is also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and evidence collection. The issues are related to his service-connected bronchial asthma and a claimed bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from generators, trucks, aircraft, and shelling. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

Service connection granted for bronchial asthma due to aggravation during service.,Service connection denied for right hip condition and left hip condition.,Service connection denied for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for migraine headaches and left ear hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated by active service. The right ear hearing loss is also considered to have been aggravated by noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and has reopened the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, back pain, neck pain, bilateral knee pain, alopecia areata, and hearing loss on a new and material basis. The Veteran's CFS claim is denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.