Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing at the RO, preferably in the afternoon. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diverticulitis, skin cancer(s), colon polyps, and right shoulder arthritis. The claims are based on the Veteran's in-service herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was granted a 100% rating effective February 23, 2015. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 30%. The Board found that the evidence showed attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's request, and will return it after the hearing is conducted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as manifested by Level IV hearing in the right ear and Level II hearing in the left ear, does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's exposure to noise during service and his MOS. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's liver disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and insomnia are found to be related to his service. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral eye or knee disability that is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service separation. The claims for service connection have therefore been denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from December 14, 2011 and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from July 7, 2014 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, but denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new evidence supports a finding of in-service acoustic trauma, leading to a determination that his current hearing loss is related to military service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling examinations, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not have its onset during service and was not shown to be related to an injury, disease or event in service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for tinnitus. However, service connection for both tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as there is no medical nexus between these conditions and active duty service.