Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder condition is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are intertwined with the left shoulder condition claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and an addendum medical opinion based on those records.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted based on credible reports of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, thyroid cancer (as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation), and kidney stones have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss resulted in a disability rating of 10 percent from February 10, 2012 to March 10, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support an initial higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and a disability manifested by water on the brain was denied. The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective August 4, 2015.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0 percent disabling) and does not warrant an increased rating.,From August 31, 2011 to the present, the Veteran's service-connected LEFT lower extremity varicose veins disability manifests in persistent edema and stasis pigmentation or eczema with intermittent ulceration, warranting a 40 percent rating. No greater rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including obtaining a line of duty determination and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer due to herbicide agent exposure have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions, and that any current symptoms were not related to military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Appellant's periods of active duty service and to determine if any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, sleep problem, or hypertension are related to such service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence is against finding a nexus between any current disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2011 VA examination, which did not consider the conflicting medical literature regarding delayed onset hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that the Veteran's current sensorineural hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure during active duty service, and thus grants service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the claims for reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to SMC are intertwined, so both issues must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's timely VA Form 9 was filed regarding his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, and the appeal is granted.

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, warranting service connection. For PTSD, the Board found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether it was incurred or aggravated by service, resulting in a grant of service connection.