Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings and the propriety of the combined disability evaluation are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a skin condition, increased evaluations for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, as well as TDIU. The case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and TMJ are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran was found unemployable from August 29, 2011 to September 30, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. His combined disability rating for these conditions is 80 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with somatic symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded as they require further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his military service due to noise exposure while driving large trucks without mufflers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not at least as likely as not caused by or a result of service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, resolving doubt in his favor. The gastrointestinal disorder is not currently before the Board for adjudication.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and PTSD. Specifically, VA treatment records from 1967 at Dayton VA Medical Center are requested, as well as a new examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a PTSD personal assault stressor letter and another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there are conflicting opinions regarding their etiology. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cutanea tarda, bilateral hearing loss disability, chloracne, heart murmur, hypertension, connective tissue disorder, vision disability in right eye, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease. The claim for service connection for lupus erythematosus is also reopened.

The Board found no evidence of current sciatica, PTSD, or hearing loss for VA purposes and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disability, or bilateral hearing loss disability.,All three disabilities were not shown to be related to military service.