Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and left ear hearing loss is being reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there are insufficient medical records and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The hip condition is found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both found to be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective August 19, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ischemic heart disease (IHD), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure and presumed herbicide agent exposure, respectively.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the May 2012 VA examiner's opinions are inadequate. The Veteran must provide any outstanding medical records in his possession, including from his VA doctor at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, and SSA records should be obtained.

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.