Hearing loss decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to be related to his period of active service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he attributes to noise exposure during his military service in Vietnam. The appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by active duty service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection claims, particularly with respect to hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his military service, while bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are not shown to be service-connected. The right inguinal hernia was found to have no recurrence and a scar length of 7 cm.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. The VA and SSA determinations indicate that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his left ear, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, hypertension, and a skin condition. The decision also addressed issues related to PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and lower back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for residuals of a low back injury and bilateral ear disability including hearing loss but not tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are now reviewed on their merits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with the lowest possible evaluation under VA rating criteria. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for idiopathic anaphylaxis with possible mastocytosis, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus are granted. The claim is based on new evidence that supports the diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis with possible mastocytosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his military service, including back injury residuals, hand disorders, knee disorders, frostbite residuals, or hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be earlier than April 30, 2009 as these claims were not received within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left total knee replacements, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions within one year post-service. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss was more likely due to natural progression with age rather than service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Veteran currently has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, which was incurred in service and is related to his active duty service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or hearing loss, but he did meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder NOS. The claim is granted.