Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran has effectively lost use of his lower extremities due to service-connected Parkinson's disease, and is therefore eligible for specially adapted housing. The claims for service connection for diverticulitis and an earlier effective date for Parkinson's disease have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a disability meeting VA criteria at any time during the period of the claim. Service connection for headaches was granted based on presumed relationship to PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss have been granted effective from October 23, 2014. The earlier effective date claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating prior to September 19, 2015, and a rating in excess of 50 percent beginning September 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that there is no current hearing loss disability related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and hearing loss are all rated appropriately at their current levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to evaluate his bilateral SNHL, tinnitus, and ITP conditions. Additionally, a new VA ophthalmological examination is needed to assess the current severity of his cataract condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his active service, including noise exposure.,A chronic skin disorder was presumed due to herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing at the RO. Service connection claims for flat feet, hearing loss, and bilateral knee condition are still pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, satisfied with the current ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on appeal and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of missing documents.

The Board finds that service connection for right ear hearing loss is warranted as the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently shown right ear hearing loss was caused by his service.