Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The hearing loss and dermatitis cases are still under review, as is the right knee disorder, asbestosis, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for various disability ratings and service connection claims, including those related to right ear hearing loss, a right ring-finger disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, and acute retinal necrosis of the left eye.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been service connected since October 1976. The VA has previously denied an increased rating, and the Veteran is requesting a new examination to determine if his hearing has worsened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) were denied. The Veteran was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease prior to June 16, 2017 and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred in service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bronchitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded these issues due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus has been granted. The case is remanded for further development, including an audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence or lack of proper medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, lung disability, heart disability, and PVD. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service or in-service exposure to jet engine fuel.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the valvular heart disease is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. Service connection for valvular heart disease and heart valve replacement (claimed as coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure) is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hypertension is denied as not being related to service or secondary to his diabetes.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a separate rating for residuals of tympanic membrane perforation and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, request private treatment records related to ear infections, request the Veteran to submit a VA Form 21-8940 if he intends to pursue TDIU, and schedule an examination for his ears.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially-gainful occupation prior to September 4, 2013.