Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current ear disability, including bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membranes, is not service-connected. The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of these conditions, nor was there any in-service manifestation or noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any point in the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including hypertension and several musculoskeletal conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension or establish service connection for other claimed disabilities.

The Board finds that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is warranted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding its etiology. The Veteran's dental disability (periodontal disease) may be related to his military service, but further examination and medical opinion are needed to determine this conclusively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition, skin condition, and left ear hearing loss are not related to service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the AOJ.,Effective dates prior to June 6, 2014, are not warranted for awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral testicular cysts, a left leg disability (including left ankle pain), headaches, and rectal fissures have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his service, including noise exposure during military service. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his active military service, including exposure to noise as a fire direction center commander in an 8-inch artillery battery while stationed in South Korea.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and obtaining any missing 2013 audiological evaluation. The TDIU issue will also be developed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his noise exposure during service. As a result, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for left ear hearing loss, however, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude substantially gainful employment, so the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental incapacity, as evidenced by multiple hospitalizations and inability to manage personal finances.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has been rated at 60 percent since June 13, 2005 and increased to 50 percent effective May 6, 2016.