Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The respiratory disorder was not related to his service and he died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience an in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, musculoskeletal disability, and gastrointestinal disability were denied. The appeal is remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants an initial 20 percent disability evaluation, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine whether he has current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and chronic skin disorder (including chloracne) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing impairment and/or tinnitus, as well as its relationship to active service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board is remanding the claims to the RO for further development and consideration due to the need for proper VCAA notice, additional medical opinion regarding tinnitus etiology, and other procedural steps.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are related to his period of active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left ear hearing loss, which he claims started in service due to noise exposure. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable, and his diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to April 16, 2007, and at a noncompensable rating since that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from TSA and VA audiologist evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining medical records and considering lay statements.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service acoustic trauma, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while left ear hearing loss is not considered incurred in service due to its pre-existing nature.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination.