Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not related to active duty service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The left ear hearing loss was also found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disease (coronary artery disease), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The claim for sinusitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent since December 31, 2012. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically noise exposure from gun firings and aircraft. As a result, the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiometric examination. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and service connection for type II diabetes mellitus are being addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of continuous symptoms since service separation. The most persuasive medical opinion found that the current conditions are less likely due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also addressed the bifurcated issues of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and non-service-connected pension benefits, finding that there was no current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear according to VA standards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence was not received to reopen his right wrist disorder claim, and the service-connected conditions of the knee did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or separate effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for pes planus, bilateral ankle disability, and tinnitus. The effective date remains at the date of receipt of the claim (April 10, 2009).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is found to be incurred in service. The Board finds that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder as a result of suffering injuries related to an incident where he was blown across the flight deck from a jet engine blast.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to confusion regarding representation and notification of the Statement of the Case. The Veteran's attorney needs more time to respond or provide additional evidence, and any relevant VA treatment records should be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that effective dates prior to October 14, 2003 for the left knee disability, June 11, 2002 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, neck disability, and back disability are related to his service in the United States Army National Guard.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as his request to extend a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.