Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided on the merits.

The Veteran's lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not found to be related to service. The claim for a lung disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a diagnosed PTSD disability related to an in-service incident which caused the Veteran to have fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his hearing loss conditions and for updated audiological findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current hearing loss to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of chronic ear infections and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, and whether any part of his current bilateral hearing loss is related to chronic tonsillitis. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss will be considered as not being related to service due to lack of evidence showing aggravation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy. The case has been remanded to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's alleged exposure to herbicides during his service aboard the USS Kawishiwi.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than June 20, 2016, for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right ear hearing loss disability as defined in VA regulations. The Veteran's prostatitis was found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, but further clarification is needed regarding its timing and relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining private medical records.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to non-compliance with its directive and for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been granted a 10 percent evaluation from July 12, 2010. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, hypertension, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses of PTSD or hearing loss, and his tinnitus was not linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee degenerative changes, as well as a separate rating for left knee extension contracture. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. No effective date is provided.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis A, and erectile dysfunction. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was withdrawn.,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral temporomandibular dysfunction prior to October 7, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. ,The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to October 9, 2014 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran is entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claims for PTSD, hearing loss, and arthritis are not supported by the provided information. The Veteran has been granted new evidence to reopen his claim for fibromyalgia, but no rating assigned due to lack of supporting documentation or evidence.