Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is granted. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, and back disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The claims for hypertension and anxiety/depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hip disorder, ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder are all denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The claims are therefore granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at a 10 percent level from July 17, 2008 to July 31, 2010. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current condition was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to his knee disorders, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, neck/cervical spine disorder, low back/lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, hip disorders, or hand disorders. Additionally, there is no indication that the Veteran's hearing loss disability was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI and hearing loss disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and right knee condition have all been denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis. The remaining issues were addressed, but the case is remanded for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The appeal for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal cerebrovascular accident was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cold weather injuries. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to concerns about the accuracy of the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability, which has been remanded as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noise during combat. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, numbness, and light-headedness are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness. The Board finds that his joint aches are related to DJD, which is not considered a presumptive disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as the evidence does not establish whether he has a current disability or if it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as to address any potential delayed onset of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no new and material evidence since prior final decisions.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent disability rating for his left shoulder disability since the date of claim. The initial ratings are 10 percent prior to April 30, 2012, and 20 percent thereafter.