Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and ingrown toenail of the right and left great toes were denied. The Board found that any current hearing loss disability was unrelated to service, and there is no current left ear hearing loss disability. For the ingrown toenails, the most recent VA examination indicated they are not at least as likely as not caused by or a result of any event in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability due to noise exposure in service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was aggravated during service and is therefore granted for service connection. The left ear hearing loss disability, however, did not manifest in service or until many years after service and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 80 percent since January 2009, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Board granted service connection for diplopia and a back disorder, but denied an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran currently has no less than level I hearing in either ear.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran currently has a current disability in his right ear for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service, with current evidence showing a continuity of symptoms. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to afford the Veteran a hearing, and the case is now pending before the Board for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 10 percent effective August 10, 2011. The claim is granted for this increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Navy Reserve records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current lung disorder. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disorder due to asbestosis exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for flat feet and found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by numeric designations of impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The VA has determined that his hearing loss does not preclude daily activities such as driving an automobile or attending to household duties.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient answers regarding the reliability of the November 1966 enlistment examination and whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to military service. The Veteran will need a new VA audiologic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of private records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and a chronic cardiac disability were denied. The Veteran was diagnosed with asthma in 2008 and obstructive sleep apnea in 2012, but there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service.