Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, considering his testimony about noise exposure during service.

The VA denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of tongue cancer. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There is no current evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. The private audiogram from Allina Health will be considered in conjunction with the VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and back disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 14, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple knee/ankle conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development due to the need for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is likely the result of his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely the result of his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be related to other causes rather than acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pituitary tumor resulting in headaches, insomnia, and fatigue was reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss and headache disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, tuberculosis, hypertension, and a thyroid disorder. The examination must consider the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during service and any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of tinnitus. Service connection is denied for left arm disability, cervical radiculopathy, lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, skin disability, and asthma.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resulting in a denial of the request.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss have been rated as per the criteria. The Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.