Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, as well as his right elbow disability claim. The Veteran's ischemic heart disease claim will be remanded to issue a statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during service. The claim for an eye condition must be remanded to obtain missing VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied the remaining issues of upper back disorder and disorders of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected right orchiectomy. His hearing loss, COPD, left wrist fracture residuals, scar from cyst removal, allergic rhinitis, and rhinoplasty/septoplasty are all rated at the lowest possible level (0%) due to their current severity.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty. The earliest clinical records indicating symptoms were over 30 years after separation from service.

The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, pyuria/urinary tract infection, and sinus condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to August 4, 2009 for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to consider whether a previous rating decision denying his claim contained clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that it was incurred in service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing due to his request. The rating for PTSD and the service connection claim for right ear hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to aggravation by military noise exposure. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is not service-connected, but the Veteran has raised a claim for TDIU based on his current disability.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, which is established by his job as an auto repair parts specialist. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.,The Veteran reported experiencing ringing in his ears during service and continues to experience it today. The Board finds that the current tinnitus is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, and his left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are presumed to be related to service. However, the preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pseudogout has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to a prior grant of service connection under different terminology.