Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder during service or at any time thereafter. Service connection was also denied for peripheral nerve conditions of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and its relationship to his service-connected thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and stenosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ventricular septal defect, heart attack, bilateral hearing loss, and emphysema are not related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) was denied. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is now REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 25, 2016 is being remanded as the Board finds that there are circumstances which warrant extraschedular consideration.

The Board found no current right knee disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, skin disabilities of the feet and hands, a heart murmur, bilateral hearing loss, high liver enzymes, anemia, and a penile deformity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease, L4-L5; polyp removal; otitis externa; and a skin condition. The hearing loss claim was also denied as there is no evidence that it has worsened since the May 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's left foot disability is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, skin disorder, paralysis of the median nerve, and paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability in most cases and that the presumption of exposure to herbicide agents did not apply due to lack of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back syndrome, caused him to be substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises. However, the need for aid and attendance was not due solely to these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of service connection are still under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and theories of causation, including service connection for various disabilities allegedly related to poisoning during service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's claims in light of his reported exposures.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, make it impossible for him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his combined disability rating is significant enough to preclude him from maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing impairment.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as both conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially related to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.