Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to have its onset in service or within one year of separation, and the VA examiner opined that it is not related to military noise exposure. The Board therefore denied service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during his first period of service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is as likely as not related to his active duty.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 70% to 40%, effective October 31, 2008, was proper. The discontinuance of TDIU based on this reduction was not proper and is void ab initio.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss existed prior to active military service and was noted at entry, did not undergo an increase during active service, and was not otherwise aggravated by a disease, injury, or event during active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was caused by acoustic trauma during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be noncompensable prior to May 6, 2008 and a 10% rating from that date until April 28, 2011. From April 28, 2011, the disability remains noncompensable.

The Board has reviewed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including abnormal weight loss, hypertension, hyperlipidia, fatigue, fluid build-up in the ears, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, joint pain, loss of body hair, muscle pain, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, sleep disturbances, and vertigo. However, there is no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service or are related to such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military personnel records.

The Veteran's appeal of all remaining issues has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. A sensorineural hearing loss was not exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not manifest during service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective April 8, 2009. From January 23, 2013, the Veteran is rated at 30 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board finds that the reduction in disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss was proper. The Veteran's overall combined disability rating remained unchanged, and he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to his active military service, and the Board finds that it is less likely as not caused by or a result of military acoustic trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no current diagnosed disability in either ear as defined by VA standards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability, including the residuals of asbestos exposure; the residuals of right and left upper extremity trauma; and the residuals of sternum trauma. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.