Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection awards of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease. The effective date for the award of service connection for coronary artery disease was determined to be February 27, 2013.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which the VA doctor opined was due to his service-connected type II diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and medication for ischemic heart disease. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, there is no evidence in the file at the date of death that would have supported a claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet all criteria for PTSD and his symptoms were better explained by other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss and his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities were both denied by the Board. The Veteran had bilateral hearing loss rated at 50% and tinnitus rated at 10%. His combined disability rating was 60%, meeting the criteria for consideration of TDIU, but he did not meet the requirement of having one disability rated at least 40% disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of hearing loss and left knee disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's hypertension was not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to his active military service, including his presumed exposure to noise. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his mobility and vision impairments are due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fibromas and achilles tendonitis, right foot plantar fibromas and retro calcaneal spur, and right hip traumatic arthritis. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year after separation. The heart bypass surgery is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to an event or injury in service. The Board also found that his right ear hearing loss is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss since November 18, 2014 was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher scheduler evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, including noise exposure from gunfire. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's cause of death was not a service-connected disability. The Board finds that pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which caused or substantially contributed to the Veteran's death, was not demonstrated in service and is not related to service.