Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied his claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and COPD.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during ACDUTRA and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that the evidence does not warrant such ratings based on the clinical findings from VA examinations over the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is referred to the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for another examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his condition may have worsened since the last VA examination in May 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the accuracy of the February 1964 audiometric data and to obtain an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's current respiratory disability related to in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cholecystectomy is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss is not considered to be related to his active service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diabetes and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss or for service connection for neck, upper back, left knee, or acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, painful scars associated with skin cancer, tinnitus, and right hand arthritis, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for residuals of a right ear injury, to include hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's atrophic toenail as residual to a left foot injury is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied as it was not filed within the required two-year period from when he was notified of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including leukemic mononucleosis, lymphoma, deep white matter deviation to include memory loss, headaches other than sinusitis with headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral inner ear nerve damage to include vertigo and loss of balance, right-sided tongue paralysis, right-sided vocal cord paralysis, residuals of strep throat with heart murmur, right-sided neck gland swelling with difficulty swallowing and a near-esophageal knot, right shoulder rotator cuff disability, bilateral hand nerve damage, brittle fingernails, heart palpitations, hypertension, bilateral leg disorder to include weakness, edema, vascular deterioration, and varicose veins, bilateral knee disorder to include cartilage deterioration, bone grinding, and fatigue, bilateral ankle disorder to include edema, bilateral foot nerve damage to include the balls of the feet and the toes, brittle toenails, residuals of pneumonia, and dry skin. The claims were denied as not being related to service or any other basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied in April 2005. The RO granted the claims on October 23, 2008, with an effective date of that day. The Veteran appealed this decision, but did not file a timely notice of disagreement or submit new evidence within one year. As such, the effective date cannot be earlier than October 23, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The appeal is currently pending and will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right knee disability issue was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its onset and aggravation during service.