Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within one year following separation from service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his claims for service connection, as well as a VA examination for the severity of his coronary artery disease. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membranes is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability (tinnitus) related to his in-service noise exposure, which supports granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as the VA examination provided was inadequate and a new opinion from a VA examiner is needed to determine if his current hearing disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or continuity of symptomatology since service, and the conditions are not presumed due to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his military service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted effective from February 2, 2010. The Board found that the earlier claim was not timely filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and records, particularly regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and Meniere's disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, asbestosis, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), residuals of a skin condition of the left arm, or chronic fatigue syndrome that were incurred in service. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining his full service personnel records from his first period of active duty service and any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the most likely cause being in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sleep disorder with fatigue was initially manifest in service and has been recurrent since discharge from service. The Board can conclude that the requirements for service connection have been met, thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since November 29, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.