Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional examinations to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the exception of right ear hearing loss which is not currently at issue. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, joint pain, fatigue (manifested by a disability), and skin condition are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, finding that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were received in May 2012, prior to August 1, 2013. The Board finds that the earlier effective date of June 1, 2012 is warranted based on the submission of a fully developed claim form indicating intent to apply for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and left ear hearing loss disability, finding that new evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service. The claim for Meniere's disease was reopened but remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and issues related to service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 6, 2016.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as a result of service, and the back disability issue has been remanded for further examination. The right ear hearing loss initial rating remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus may have aggravated his current bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 28, 2009, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination, determine the impact of these conditions on employment, and consider an extraschedular rating if necessary.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition. Regarding bilateral hearing loss disability, a new VA examination is required to determine if it was caused or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to exposure to loud noise in service, and he was denied reenlistment shortly after discharge from active duty for a hearing disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiatal hernia (claimed as heartburn), and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and medical opinions regarding whether his service-connected PTSD aggravates his hypertension and heart disorder.