Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is related to his in-service noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and his tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all claims currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during training exercises. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was denied as there is no evidence of current disability in either condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The claims are granted.,Service connection is established for hypertension as a result of presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, and for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to direct service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss disability, as the Veteran did not have a chronic right ear hearing loss disability in service and none was diagnosed until many years after separation. The ratings for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Crohn's disease. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his right shoulder disability.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability was previously denied, but the appeal is now considered granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service, specifically PTSD and depressive disorder. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are issues with the current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant service records and examinations. The case will be reviewed by the Director of VA Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation prior to August 18, 2014, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service, including exposure to loud noises.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not a result of excessive noise exposure during his active military service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his present condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete notice and treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure.