Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and the development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip replacements and DJD of the lumbar and cervical spine, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board grants SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left hand and thumb was denied. The claim for hearing loss is pending, as new evidence may support a finding of current disability. The claim for thoracic spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, given his vocational opinion and testimony indicating he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, the Board has determined that extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable, and his claims for service connection of hypertension and vertigo were denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA audiological examination to determine if the September 2016 private audiogram used the Maryland CNC test for word recognition ability. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for post-concussive syndrome, peripheral vestibular disorder, and bilateral hearing loss were not granted earlier than May 26, 2010. The skin disorder claim is pending as it relates to service exposure, but the diabetes mellitus claim remains unresolved.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the origin of his hearing loss and whether it is related to in-service noise exposure or an injury during Ranger School.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current condition is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss in his left ear, but not in his right ear. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss in either ear.,There is no evidence showing tinnitus was present within one year after separation from active duty service. The VA examiner found it unlikely that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA audiological examination and gathering relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not meet the threshold to reopen his claim for tinnitus. For hearing loss, the Board concluded there was no in-service or post-service evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's application for TDIU was received on May 4, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 30, 2013 is dismissed as moot.