Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to properly address the issue of an extraschedular rating. The Veteran's VA and private treatment records need to be updated in the electronic claims folder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted, but the issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes mellitus remains denied.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back disability is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The claims will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues regarding an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU. The Board finds that further development is necessary, including a neuropsychological examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's cognitive disorder and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure the Veteran's claims are properly developed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back pain have been denied. The claim for PTSD has not yet been addressed due to the need for new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus are related to his service. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of hepatitis C and scheduling him for a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or a bilateral foot disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as zero percent since February 11, 2014. The VA examination revealed that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to acoustic trauma in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing medical records and an examination from January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, presumed due to herbicide exposure in service, contributed substantially to his cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest). The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this finding and grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated at a 10% rating prior to December 24, 2014, and at a 30% rating thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in ratings beyond these levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was caused by in-service noise exposure. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied service connection for dizziness. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a skin condition claimed as due to exposure to jet fuel and dioxins (herbicides) are granted. The Veteran is found to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam, which presumptively establishes his prostate cancer and PTSD with major depressive disorder.