Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has not yet addressed his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to allow further development and consideration of both issues.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that new evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's contentions regarding his in-service onset of hearing loss and tinnitus are inconsistent with prior examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, but denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The decision is pending on the issue of whether the Veteran's gallstones are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical opinions on the Veteran's hearing loss and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his level of hearing impairment did not warrant a higher rating based on VA criteria. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and TMJ dysfunction have been granted. Effective February 9, 2011, he is rated at 100% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the right and left upper extremities, and 80% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the left lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. For his left ear, there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service, and the STRs show normal hearing at induction and separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not have a current left ear hearing disability.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinion found that his current conditions were more likely due to civilian work rather than military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from December 21, 2006, to August 18, 2009, due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and Bilateral Hearing Loss. The decision found no credible evidence supporting these conditions or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as a review of her claims file. The issues include service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to noise exposure during active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as an audiometry examination was not conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss did not preexist service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure were considered but found to be insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA physician has linked these conditions to his active service, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, but denied the remaining claims.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hepatitis C, finding that both conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, a bilateral hand disability, and back disability. The Board found that while the Veteran had these conditions, there was no evidence to support their direct relationship with his military service.