Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The Veteran was granted staged ratings for PTSD, but the appeal remains on hold as he has not indicated that any subsequently assigned ratings satisfy his appeal.

The Board has vacated the May 2012 decision, finding that due process was not followed in denying reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Substantive Appeal for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability was timely filed, and therefore grants this portion of his appeal. The claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability are being remanded to further develop the record.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle disability, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to May 4, 2014, he did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Beginning May 4, 2014, his hearing loss warranted a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service due to exposure to hazardous noise. The hearing loss and cognitive/comprehension disorder claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and is granted. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with new VA examinations for his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as there may have been a worsening of symptoms. The AOJ should also obtain all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and need for a new one. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim will be addressed, including consideration of noise exposure during service and any aggravation by his service-connected conditions or medications. His right heel disability claim is also pending but requires issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his service exposure to noise, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and verify in-country service on the USS Oriskany. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II will be adjudicated according to M21-1 procedures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about his employment history and a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left ear hearing loss disabilities are not service-connected as they did not pre-exist his military service, or were not aggravated by it. The VA examiner found no significant threshold changes in the right ear during his military service.