Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish exposure to herbicides or other conditions during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during his military service, nor were they caused by any in-service noise exposure. The respiratory condition, chronic nosebleeds, thumb nail condition, skin condition, and gum condition are also not supported by evidence of record as being related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The RO must issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not warrant a higher rating prior to July 26, 2012 and after that date he did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection based on evidence showing a link between his active duty service and his current hearing impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear sensorineural hearing loss and left ear sensorineural hearing loss were not manifested during his active military service, are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service, and is not shown to have manifested within one year from the date of his separation from the military. The Board also found that the Veteran's current tinnitus was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not entitled to an extraschedular evaluation, as it does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for a mid and low back disorder including degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and consideration of whether the Veteran can secure or follow substantially gainful employment given his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lower extremity neuropathy, sleep apnea, and seizures were denied as the evidence did not establish service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to service. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected due to lack of in-service chronic or continuous symptoms, and no evidence showing a nexus between current disability and service. The claim for tinnitus was granted as it had its onset during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, finding that it is at least as likely as not a result of his service-connected tinnitus. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains remanded due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and there is no evidence showing he met the requirements for 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 prior to his death, thus denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, specifically exposure to loud noise during active duty. As such, the Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not shown to meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and thus service connection is denied.