Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his military service, specifically due to noise exposure while working as an aircraft engineer. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, but finds in favor of granting service connection for tinnitus due to the preponderance of evidence being at least in equipoise.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its functional effects. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised in this case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for stomach cancer, gout, liver cancer, glaucoma, chronic nephritis, and bilateral hearing loss as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum from a VA audiologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since October 4, 2016. The VA found that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active service and are not etiologically related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms warranted a 70 percent disability rating, and also determined he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity beyond normal progression during her active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability underwent an increase in severity during service and is considered to be aggravated by that service. The Veteran has a history of pneumothorax, which may have contributed to his hearing loss. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his service-connected conditions have rendered him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 3, 2017, and in excess of 60 percent thereafter.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal of all issues listed on the title page, including those related to depression, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, DDD of the cervical spine, sleep apnea, atrial fibrillation with mild left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, and residuals of fractured nose. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, or residuals of surgically corrected deviated septum (including sleep apnea) that is service-connected.,There was no evidence presented to show these conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss and its impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, and back disability for additional development. The Veteran is to be provided with an opportunity to identify any relevant medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled if necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroparesis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with tinea pedis, hypertension, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination. The Veteran's representative was given an opportunity to submit studies related to delayed onset hearing loss.