Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence now establishes a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a sleep disorder, sinusitis, and left ankle sprain as these issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining claims of entitlement to initial disability evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of bunionectomy of the left foot, residuals of bunionectomy of the right foot, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder (dominant) wrist are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The VA examiner found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the current hearing loss is not related to service. However, the Board notes that the lack of in-service complaints or treatment does not necessarily disqualify a claim. A new VA examination is needed to determine if any increase in hearing acuity documented in service could be causally related to service.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor are they otherwise related to such service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional action is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as the Veteran's service records did not show any complaints or findings of these conditions during or immediately after service. The VA examiner concluded that there was insufficient medical basis to link current hearing loss and tinnitus to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, as his hearing was within normal limits at separation and there were no significant threshold shifts in service. The evidence does not establish a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no rating assigned. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is reopened but not granted on the merits.

The Board has ordered the RO to verify the Veteran's period of active duty service from January 2010 to June 2010 and obtain any relevant treatment records. The case will be returned for further review after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his noise exposure during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, as evidenced by exposure to loud noises during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred during active service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records from VA facilities where the Veteran received treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are remanded for further development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the examination report, and further development of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and need for clarification of the appellant's representative. The VA will provide a supplemental statement of the case after considering the June 2011 private medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left ear hearing loss or a right knee disability attributable to service. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a stomach disability in service and concluded that GERD is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,There was no hearing loss noted during service, and the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss does not appear to be due to his service-connected conditions.