Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating at any point during the initial appeal period.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability was evaluated as zero percent disabling in both November 2007 and November 2008, with no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing loss. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service ear infections, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been upheld as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has found that the Veteran's in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma as a result of his active combat service in Vietnam is conceded. The Veteran contends that he incurred bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus during active service, but the VA examiner opined that there was no evidence of current disability due to bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to active service. The Board finds the July 2008 VA examination inadequate for purposes of adjudication.

The Board has determined that there is no right ear hearing loss disability present during the pendency of this claim. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to hearing loss, and thus denied her claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear, finding that his condition did not manifest during or within one year after his periods of active service and was not aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee arthritis were denied. The Board found no higher evaluation was appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective December 27, 2012. The Veteran's right ear had Level V hearing and his left ear had Level VI hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, effective June 1, 2004. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of lay evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and readjudicating both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus require additional development due to incomplete findings during a June 2008 audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his service, meeting the requirements for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss or bilateral tinnitus, as there is no evidence of a current disability during active duty and no medical nexus to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss, dental condition, and back condition did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or service connection. The evidence showed no significant impairment in these conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, bronchitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral plantar fasciitis that had its onset during active service.