Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and his claim for TDIU is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. He will also be scheduled for examinations to address the nature of his cervical spine disorder, right knee replacement with post-traumatic arthritis, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and stenosis, status-post laminectomy, discectomy, and fusion, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his hypertension, GERD, urinary disorder, headaches, nosebleeds, and short-term memory loss are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or soon after service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but malaria is not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's sinusitis was also found to be related to service, but a new VA examination is needed as he testified that his symptoms have increased since his last VA examination in 2014. For tinea pedis (claimed as bilateral foot condition), the Veteran's testimony and in-service records indicate it may be related to service, but another VA examination is required for this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from active duty and is not otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral flatfoot, hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and paranasal sinusitis. The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to service, including noise exposure during active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, and his obstructive sleep apnea with asthma is rated at 50 percent. The combined rating for these conditions is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU. However, the Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as they did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran has a current lung disability (Interstitial Lung Disease - Asbestosis) that is related to post-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his service, with reasonable doubt being resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected as his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Appellant is therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, including exposure to noise from operating aircraft. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has experienced these conditions since service.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximately balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his ACDUTRA service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.