Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of an effective date earlier than December 7, 2016 for the grant of a 100 percent disability evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, entitlement to service connection for a stomach disorder, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining audiogram records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA audiological examinations and the need to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of entitlement to this higher rating based on the severity of his IBS symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected based on direct evidence, with no presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a laceration of the left great toe and bilateral hearing loss disability have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for GERD. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for retinitis pigmentosa and bilateral hearing loss, and finds that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a hearing loss disability of the left ear and has found no legal basis for awarding service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus and irritable bowel syndrome (to include as secondary to PTSD), but not for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, skin cancer, or degenerative joint disease of the left knee or right knee. The Veteran's hypertension was also found not to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his active military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has restored the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the RO's severance was improper.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service, and his bilateral hearing loss disability is presumed due to in-service noise exposure. The Board also granted service connection for hypertension based on presumptive exposure to herbicide agents (Gulf War Syndrome).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of current disability. The Board finds a new VA examination is needed as the evidence suggests some degree of hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection, initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and dermatitis. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not include a disability rated as permanent and total, thus he does not meet the legal criteria for entitlement to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, while his acquired psychiatric disability is not shown to be due to service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.