Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disease is related to asbestos exposure during service, and his claim for this condition is granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in January 2006.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding medical records and conduct further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in the right ear that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was a result of his military service, contributed to his death from pulmonary thromboembolism. The cause of death is therefore service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's laryngeal cancer residuals have been rated at 60 percent since October 1, 2010. The Board has also granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and the claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and psychotic disorder, cervical spine disability, low back disability, tinnitus, shell fragment wound scars, hemorrhoids, and left ear hearing loss, result in painful, limited motion that impairs his ability to perform employment of both a physical and sedentary nature. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, skin cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional service in-patient clinical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The claims of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with several other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity, bilateral hearing loss, and IBS has been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions or their development in service.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastric schwannoma.

For the entire increased rating period, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was productive of no worse than Level VI hearing impairment in his right ear and no worse than Level VII hearing impairment in his left ear. The Board found that for the entire appeal period, the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met.