Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with a history of acoustic trauma during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records for diabetes mellitus, type II and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated after obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The cold injuries residuals claims are being remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dementia due to diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cataracts, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, PTSD, peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, residuals of a deviated nasal septum (withdrawn), left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board is also remanding the claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective May 21, 2010. The left lower extremity radiculopathy and right ear hearing loss were both rated at the minimum compensable level.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and possibly scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, including noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability, finding no current disabilities meet VA standards. Service connection was also not granted as secondary to a service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 5, 2013 were rated at a combined 90 percent. Considering the totality of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work, these disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with the right thumb strain receiving a 10% rating and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss each receiving a separate 10% rating. The effective date remains unchanged at April 30, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 60 percent rating from May 9, 2012. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to an undeliverable SSOC, and the Veteran's current address needs to be provided for resending.