Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for type II and type I diabetes, bilateral hand disability, low back disability, right knee disability, right hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and neurological disorder of the lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a link between these conditions and service. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for onychomycosis and dental disorder are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 10 percent from July 2, 2010 to April 16, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have been incurred in service, as it had its onset during or shortly after his active duty and is related to the noise exposure he experienced while serving in aviation electronics.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's current complaints regarding his lumbar spine condition suggest a worsening since the last examination in January 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service and grants this claim. The appeal for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran during his August 2017 hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his bilateral ear condition, earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss and notification regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability as defined by VA regulation. The Veteran was not diagnosed with a hearing loss disability in either ear, nor did he have any evidence of noise exposure during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to pursue and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is considered to be a result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of vision problems. The Veteran's low back strain with lumbar disc degeneration/degenerative arthritis was not found to meet criteria for a higher rating prior to November 18, 2015, but did meet criteria thereafter. His bilateral hearing loss met the criteria for a 20% rating from September 25, 2015 to March 7, 2016, and was not found to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral ear sores are related to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 16, 2004 and as 30 percent disabling from August 16, 2004 to July 21, 2010. The Board denied entitlement to higher evaluations for PTSD.