Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for bronchitis prior to June 18, 2002 and 30 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and arthritis in the right hand are related to his military service, but there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his right shoulder disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus is denied as there is no current disability found in the record.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while her claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20% rating for hemorrhoids was denied. The claim to reopen his right ear hearing loss disability was granted, and service connection for the condition was also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a stomach disorder. The claim for a left ear disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The claim for a pituitary disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have had their onset during service, specifically in Vietnam. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

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The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear SNHL and liposarcoma are not service-connected as they were not caused by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right foot sensory deficit. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected pes cavus. For the entire appeal period, the criteria for a 100 percent rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety have been met.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, as there are inconsistencies in previous examinations and conflicting opinions from medical professionals.

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

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability evaluation for any period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for TDIU as of May 28, 2010. The appeals for service connection for residuals of scorpion sting poisoning; higher initial ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss; and an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for tinnitus, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals in April 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded to allow for this development.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange) in Thailand.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by the medical evidence showing that they were incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hearing loss, which the Board has determined requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination.