Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinitis, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sinusitis, esophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a TDIU and VA outpatient dental treatment.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to his military noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss was not shown to have had its onset during service, nor is it linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with previous Board directives and a VA otolaryngologist examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an in-person VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable, and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection for arthritis of the shoulders is denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a disability at any point during the claims period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims of service connection for dry eyes and higher evaluations for left ear/bilateral hearing loss are remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his claimed conditions. The current 10 percent disability rating for asbestosis with shortness of breath is upheld, as it meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 6833.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during his active service, specifically from exposure to acoustic trauma while serving as a gunner's mate aboard naval ships. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is more likely than not related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a medical addendum and consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) for extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in February 2009. As such, the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for hearing loss was denied in 1999, and the Board finds no evidence of a valid appeal. The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under VA regulations. The effective date for service connection for PTSD remains December 4, 2012.