Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities, considering all relevant factors including his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for hypertension, GERD, a spinal disorder, and ED. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was not established for hypertension or GERD as they are not related to diabetes mellitus. Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right lower extremity were granted initial evaluations of 40 percent each.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of reopening a gastrointestinal disability is also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but these issues are now remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability within one year after service, and the November 2011 VA examination concluded that it is less likely than not related to service. The Veteran's contentions were therefore outweighed by the medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tuberculosis, hepatitis, chronic allergic conjunctivitis of the eyes, sinusitis, and heart murmur were granted. He was also granted a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis. The claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and inguinal hernia with right testicle pain is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and treatment records from 1969 to 2000. A VA examination is also needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory disorder and his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.,For his lumbar spine disability, the claim was granted but not with an increased rating. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding her hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The issues of right ear hearing loss and pancreatitis are remanded as there may be outstanding records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for memory loss, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, stomach disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his service-connected knee disabilities have not been established. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim due to the need for updated VA examination records, including those from private providers. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the November 2010 VA medical opinion was inadequate due to insufficient rationale provided.