Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disorder (claimed as jungle rot), sexual dysfunction, and tooth loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address the Veteran's accounts of noise exposure and the significance of private audiograms from before service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are all found to be related to his military service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions. However, the Veteran's cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to September 1, 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus, does not meet the criteria for service connection based on aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral eye disability (temporary blindness) related to service, and his other claimed disabilities are either not supported by evidence of record or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, neck condition and gastrointestinal condition are all service-connected. The Board has also granted service connection for sinusitis and low back condition. However, the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist and knee conditions have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, as his physical limitations are manageable in a sedentary job environment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure in service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain all relevant medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. However, due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss, a new medical opinion is needed to determine whether it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service, but the bilateral knee and foot conditions may not be. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also related to service.,The Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type with psychotic symptoms) that likely had its onset during or is otherwise related to his period of active duty from 1973 to 1979.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is required to provide an addendum opinion from a qualified professional.