Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his current hearing loss has not been documented to be at levels supporting a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability was granted. The claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and erectile dysfunction were also granted, with the rating for hemorrhoids being set at 10 percent effective November 4, 2004, and the rating for erectile dysfunction being set at 20 percent effective September 28, 2006.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. For his knee and hand conditions, the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes. The adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety was also not rated at a higher level.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in speech recognition scores from VA's latest compensation and pension (C&P) audio examination. The veteran needs to provide evidence that addresses whether the tests were conducted by a state-licensed audiologist, if they used the Maryland CNC test, and if they were conducted without hearing aids.

The Board has identified the issues as whether the reduction in the evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 0 percent was proper and entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies with the VA examination results.

The Board denied increased evaluations for tinnitus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, mechanical low back pain as a result of disc degeneration, and bilateral hearing loss. The highest possible rating (10%) was already assigned for the veteran's tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability. The veteran withdrew his appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability prior to the decision being made.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss is not causally related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the veteran's claim is not supported by medical opinion linking his current condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of chronic bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has withdrawn the veteran's appeal regarding his claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions or a link to military service.

The veteran's toxoplasmosis productive of vision impairment is rated at 40 percent, and the claims for acne, prostatitis, hearing loss, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right hip strain, depression, and insomnia are all granted.

The veteran's right thumb disorder is now rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 5, 2006. The other claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the veteran's service-connected hearing loss in his left ear.

The veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and hypertension with myocardial infarction, as secondary to service-connected PTSD, are denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.