Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension. The decision is based on direct evidence, as there was no need to reopen the claim for hypertension due to new material evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hand cold injury has been granted. The claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and TDIU are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service due to noise exposure. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of acoustic trauma or chronic symptoms during service. The March 2015 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to age-related changes (presbycusis) rather than noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for hiatal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, a disability manifested by loss of smell, or a sleep disability (to include sleep apnea).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus service connection is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and granted. His PTSD with associated depressive disorder NOS is rated at 50% effective April 23, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. The appeals regarding rheumatoid arthritis and malaria have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a separate and distinct left knee disability from his currently service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus based on exposure to acoustic trauma during service and continuous symptoms since separation. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain are remanded for additional development.