Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, skin condition as due to undiagnosed illness, obstructive sleep apnea, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, low back condition, hypertension, and right shoulder condition.,However, some of these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is granted but with a rating of 50%.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal was granted to reopen his claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss. However, the claim for this condition is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at a 20% prior to September 25, 2014. From that date, the rating was increased to 30%. The decision is based on VA audiometric evaluations conducted in July 2013 and September 25, 2014.

The Board found no error in the June 2009 rating decision's calculation of the combined total rating of 60 percent and denied the Veteran's claim for a higher combined rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim for asthma. The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability as defined by VA regulations. Service connection for a right finger disability and a bilateral foot disability were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for PTSD. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or connections.

The Board found that the Veteran's back injury in service was acute and resolved, and there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability. The current low back disability is not related to his service or any events therein. For right ear hearing loss, the VA examiner opined it is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current conditions and service, as well as any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's dysthymia with depression, bilateral hearing loss disability, and sleep apnea are all found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder condition. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his distal clavicle resection of the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and asbestosis are related to service. The Veteran was exposed to noise in service which is considered a presumptive exposure for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of establishing the claim due to new evidence provided by the Veteran. The current disability is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's tinnitus is caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need to consider new evidence and opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and clarification of his treatment records.