Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding left and right knee disorders. The claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and hypertension remain denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current Meniere's disease, right hearing loss, and tinnitus are not etiologically related to in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a depressive psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to acoustic trauma during military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during his time on board the USS Gridley.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is causally related to or aggravated by his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his in-service noise exposure and did not have its onset within one year of separation from active duty. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is causally or etiologically due to noise exposure during service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, with the most recent audiometric evaluations showing Level II hearing in both ears.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are attributable to acoustic noise trauma during his active military service.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, upper respiratory disorders, GERD, and sleep apnea. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting the claims for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, as well as his current bilateral hearing loss. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was noted at the time of his enlistment and did not increase in severity during active service. Therefore, service connection is denied as there is no evidence of aggravation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are also being considered, but a remand is required to obtain VA treatment records and provide an adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise during combat. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.