Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but the TBI claim has been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his right wrist disability. Service connection claims for tinnitus and right thumb injury are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to care for himself or protect himself from the hazards of his environment, nor do they make him housebound. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance or on account of housebound status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vestibular disability (including vertigo), upper respiratory disability (claimed as sinusitis and allergic rhinitis), intestinal disability (claimed as gastroenteritis), and endometriosis. The Board found no current disabilities in these areas and concluded that the Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted in a rating decision issued by the AOJ in March 2017, with an effective date of December 28, 2012. The appeal as to this issue is dismissed because it has been granted and rendered moot.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of reopening service connection claims for low back disorder, prostate disorder, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it began during active duty. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The issue of service connection for vertigo was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable (0%) throughout the appeal period, with no worse than Level I hearing impairment in both ears.

The Veteran's cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches are all currently rated. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and to determine if any additional symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for inclusion body myositis was dismissed. His bilateral hearing loss rating was denied, as he is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine injury, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic bronchiectasis due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a lumbar spine disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Additional evidence is needed, including private medical records and an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not fully resolved and requires additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The appellant has raised claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, a disease related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and hearing loss. The claim for eligibility for internment in a VA national cemetery is remanded until these service-connection claims are resolved.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at a 10 percent rating from June 16, 2016 to June 13, 2017.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral ear hearing loss, respiratory disability, eye condition, and diabetes mellitus, type II are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents during the Vietnam Era.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension was not established due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.,There is no indication that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder.