Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, while hypertension is secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's appeal involves a claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and whether referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating is warranted. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, refer the extraschedular issue for determination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, scars, bilateral hearing loss, and urticaria, combine to a 70 percent disability rating. The Board finds that the evidence supports the assignment of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.,The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was not aggravated by active duty service. The cervical, knee, hip, stomach, headache, and right shoulder disorders were not shown in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a copy of his DD-214 and any outstanding medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, secondary to an inservice head injury and granted the benefit.

The Veteran's diabetes, tinnitus, hearing loss, hemorrhoids, hand blisters, and a lung disability to include asbestosis were found to have their onset in service or are related to an in-service event. The upper and lower extremity neuropathies, vision problems including retinopathy, and atherosclerosis including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease are caused or aggravated by the now sevice-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted, with the reasoning that his symptoms began during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected, with the conditions being presumed due to herbicide exposure during his active duty. The claims for diabetes mellitus, lymphoma, and prostate cancer remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or high cholesterol for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 21, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating before May 16, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for PFB was also denied. The VA examiner noted no scarring or disfigurement and opined that the condition was stable and asymptomatic.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to hazardous noise. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss with serous otomastoiditis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee arthritis have been denied.,A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for right knee instability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service. The VA examiners provided opinions indicating that any hearing loss diagnosed later in life is more likely due to post-service noise exposure.