Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for episodic tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and left foot disability are all granted. The issues of new and material evidence for the same conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent from December 4, 2013 through February 1, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during training exercises. The claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss in March 1975, finding that the Veteran's hearing was normal at separation and any post-service hearing loss began nine years after discharge. The claim is being denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her permanent and total disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not warrant a higher initial rating, as the audiometric testing results were within the range of normal to mild impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil resulted in xerostomia, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Effective dates for these conditions have been granted based on their secondary nature to his cancer.,Effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are set at October 14, 2010, while xerostomia and dysphagia were granted effective August 4, 2009.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation and no threshold shifts during the period of service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss, skin disability, or thoracolumbar spine disability. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that these disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for left ear hearing loss from January 1, 2009 on an extraschedular basis is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to noise during combat. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure, based on the Veteran's presumed exposure during his active duty in Vietnam. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional records, including National Guard service personnel records and VA treatment records, are needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further examination. The tinnitus reopening issue is also remanded as a new SOC must be issued.

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 determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not attributable to service or shown within the initial post separation year, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disability, expressing satisfaction with the recent favorable decision of the RO. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board finds that service connection for aggravation of right ear hearing loss during service is warranted, and the claim is granted.