Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the nose, chronic rhinitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, have combined to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is presumed to have been incurred in service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing it was not permanently made worse by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and therefore service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or during the applicable presumption period, and the VA examiner opined that his hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow degenerative joint arthritis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during his active duty service due to combat noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable for the portion of the appeal period prior to April 21, 2011. A TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began during, and has been chronic and continuous since discharge from military service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is granted. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, left leg disorder, and back disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 11, 2011. The claims for hypertension and anxiety/depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection for bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hip disorder, ankle disorders, and lumbar spine disorder are all denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The claims are therefore granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at a 10 percent level from July 17, 2008 to July 31, 2010. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current condition was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to his knee disorders, elbow disorders, shoulder disorders, neck/cervical spine disorder, low back/lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, hip disorders, or hand disorders. Additionally, there is no indication that the Veteran's hearing loss disability was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI and hearing loss disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and right knee condition have all been denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis. The remaining issues were addressed, but the case is remanded for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss have been withdrawn. The appeal for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's fatal cerebrovascular accident was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cold weather injuries. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions contributed to his death.