Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected biliary cancer, which caused his death in November 2008, is found to be related to his military service due to exposure to liver flukes during his time in Vietnam and Korea. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred during service, as supported by the conceded noise exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is REMANDED due to a lack of recent VA examination and treatment records, as well as potential need for additional rating assignments.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability has been evaluated as not compensable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board found that the current schedular ratings adequately account for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but denied service connection as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's claim was not received until April 17, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected disability for any of his claimed conditions, including back disability, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral leg cramps, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to leave the house, perform activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, and dressing, and manage his environment safely.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma has been dismissed. The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, finding that the onset of this condition occurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or symptoms during service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that these conditions were caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent prior to February 19, 2014. From February 19, 2014, the rating has been increased to 80 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss or tinnitus disability, and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not related to his service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not establish a link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and erectile dysfunction, but dismissed his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, urinary complications, and an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression or anxiety).

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss disorder of the left ear did not increase in severity during service and thus denied service connection for aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and referring her case to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's representative indicated that the Veteran was satisfied with the increased disability rating awarded in the August 2014 Supplemental Statement of the Case for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. As such, the appeal is dismissed.