Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The claims for service connection of residuals of a coccyx injury and low back disorder were denied as they did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since October 2, 2012. This rating is in line with the current audiometric findings and does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 20, 2003 for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since June 1980, and was increased to 50 percent effective March 6, 2013. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained as the previous 40 percent rating remains 'protected' due to its duration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for hearing loss, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter further.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for varicose veins, hearing loss, and a prostate disability. The appeal was not about service connection at all in terms of exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in their decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol abuse, and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and did not file any formal or informal claim for service connection prior to June 5, 2008.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The criteria for an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes were not met.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are presumed to have resulted from in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50 percent. The case is remanded for issuance of an SOC on the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; coronary artery disease; erectile dysfunction; hypertension; diabetic retinopathy; any other eye disability (other than diabetic retinopathy); dry skin (xerosis); bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; neuropathy; and a disability manifested by numbness of the hands are not ready for decision due to lack of probative evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and a left leg disability manifested by numbness were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.