Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, and the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met for recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax prior to March 20, 2014 or from March 20, 2014 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling new examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, chronic otitis media status (right ear disability), and right ankle disability are all rated at the maximum available under their respective diagnostic codes. The appeal is denied as there is no basis for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of acoustic trauma or noise exposure during service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus was due to his existing hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and compliance with the Board's June 2015 remand directives. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining new evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and attempts to obtain his 2013 audiological evaluation. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss rating claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking increases in the ratings assigned for bilateral hearing loss, and therefore the matter is dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bronchitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The claim for hearing loss is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year after separation. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, IVDS of the lumbar spine prior to July 28, 2015, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations for his claimed bilateral wrist/hand disabilities and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and requests for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a need for an examination and opinion by an ENT doctor reviewing relevant medical studies.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the right median nerve, shell fragment wound of the right thigh with right trochanteric pain condition, residuals of status post shell fragment wound of the right forearm, and residuals of shell fragment wound of the right arm, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability, and the Board finds that his claimed disabilities are not related to military service. The Veteran has also had his claims withdrawn for gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep disorder, rib injury, and kidney injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it was not addressed regarding service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.