Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service due to exposure to hazardous noise. The hearing loss and cognitive/comprehension disorder claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and is granted. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with new VA examinations for his bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as there may have been a worsening of symptoms. The AOJ should also obtain all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and need for a new one. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim will be addressed, including consideration of noise exposure during service and any aggravation by his service-connected conditions or medications. His right heel disability claim is also pending but requires issuance of a statement of the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his service exposure to noise, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and verify in-country service on the USS Oriskany. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II will be adjudicated according to M21-1 procedures.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about his employment history and a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his current hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left ear hearing loss disabilities are not service-connected as they did not pre-exist his military service, or were not aggravated by it. The VA examiner found no significant threshold changes in the right ear during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, arthritis, and dental conditions. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in October 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and was unrelated to any in-service noise exposure. For flat feet, the Board noted pes planus was present at entrance but no diagnosis of flat feet was made during service. The addendum opinion will be needed to determine if the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability does not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations. The Board found that his right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were rated appropriately, but noted that his lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claim for TBI and denied the service connection claims for psychiatric disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).