Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than ten years immediately preceding his death. Therefore, the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are not met.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including a nervous disorder), hypertension, Hepatitis C, and substance abuse. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of teeth, a sprained lower back, and a bruised left leg. The claim for an initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran has a compensable dental condition or persistent/recurrent symptoms of a back disability.

The Veteran's left ear disability, including cholesteatoma and mild conductive hearing loss, is not rated higher than the current 0% rating due to lack of suppuration or aural polyps. The Board finds no evidence supporting a compensable rating for his condition.

The Board denied service connection for PVD of the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, as well as hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus was granted.,Service connection for PVD of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities (to include as secondary to herbicide agent exposure), and hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not rise to the level of a disability picture requiring the aid and attendance of another person, as he is capable of taking care of himself.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of ischemic heart disease due to herbicide agent exposure. Service connection was granted for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, with hypertension (HTN) also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active service and there is no evidence of a chronic disease within one year of separation. The Veteran's current hearing loss is attributed to the natural progression of aging.,There is no evidence that the Veteran has a head scar or TBI related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service injury or disease, or link between the conditions. The Board also found that no accrued benefits were due to the Veteran at the time of his death.