Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claims, including whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, but remanded for further development regarding his claims of hepatitis C and low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder (DJD) and migraine headaches, but denied the Veteran's claims for other conditions. The left knee DJD was found to be related to service due to its onset within one year of retirement from service. Migraine headaches were also found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment prior to March 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address issues of service connection and effective dates, as well as a sleep apnea examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone has prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 26, 2010. Additionally, the combination of his service-connected disabilities (including PTSD) has resulted in a combined schedular rating of 70 percent effective February 26, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, leg circulation problems, heart palpitations, nervous body system with slight tremors and seizures, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability during the course of his claim and appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability that meets the VA criteria for hearing loss, and the Board finds that his current hearing loss does not meet this standard.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both feet as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the November 2010 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently diagnosed as mixed type, with both conductive and sensorineural components. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if either component of his hearing loss had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically his ACDUTRA period. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral vision loss, a psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for major depression remains denied as there is no credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to insufficient VA examination and incomplete records. The examiner will need to consider the Veteran's exposure during National Guard service, his statements about noise exposure, and other available evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for evaluation purposes, and thus a new examination is warranted to determine if the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The issues of service connection for both conditions will be held in abeyance until such time as the question of etiology is resolved.