Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved. The evidence supports a finding of in-service exposure to noise and resultant current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical examinations and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing with the Board due to his request. The initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated noncompensably disabling since the effective date of service connection. The Board finds that his claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as his hearing was within normal limits at separation from service. The VA examiners opined that the Veteran did not have a hearing injury in service and thus his current conditions are less likely due to noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his military noise exposure and his current conditions. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, chest pain, and dental conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and dysmenorrhea had their onset during service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have onset during service and is granted as service connected. The bilateral hearing loss disability and neck disability are both found to be not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as it had its onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues regarding a rating in excess of 60 percent for COPD and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's colon cancer was not incurred in service and is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hand tremors were denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service. The disorders are not considered to be due to exposure to Persian Gulf War conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are likely due to an injury sustained during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as well as his thoracic spine disability. The decision is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The claims will be considered de novo.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when analyzed as a whole, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are further addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry regarding his claims to service connection for a bilateral foot/ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.