Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis and Hearing Loss in the right ear. The Board found that the Veteran's MS manifested to a compensable degree by August 1996, within the applicable presumptive period. For hearing loss, the Board found that there is at least as much evidence supporting the claim of noise exposure during service leading to current hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus remains at a 20 percent rating. The Board has ordered further development for the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. His PTSD is granted a higher rating to 70 percent, effective May 23, 2011. The other conditions (urinary condition, bronchitis, urticaria) have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining private hearing test records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability. The bilateral hip disability is granted as aggravated by service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to undergo new VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a hip disorder and remanded his claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for left knee pain, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, skin lesions, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

The Veteran's GERD is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The cases for prostate hypertrophy, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The back, knee, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disorder, including considering his in-service noise exposure and asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence being found, but the specific details about exposure basis or rating assigned are not provided.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's representative provided a study about delayed and progressive effects on hearing following loud noise exposure, which needs to be considered in the new opinions.