Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as zero percent throughout the appeal period, and his other service-connected conditions have not been found to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and ankle disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence received since the July 1993 rating decision. There is a reasonable possibility that his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are caused by service.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss or a nexus to service.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's cognitive disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's seizure disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.,For the increased rating period prior to August 22, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's headaches met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on symptomatology that is more nearly approximating characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the course of several months.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period prior to April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased rating for diabetes mellitus with nephropathy, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include posttraumatic stress disorder) were denied. The decision does not specify the basis of denial for each issue.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is not warranted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and considering post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current hearing disability in either ear that meets the criteria for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing these conditions. As such, service connection for both disabilities cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no more than Level I for both ears, warranting a 0 percent evaluation. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, though no specific exposure basis was provided.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, left thigh disorder, chest pain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right foot disorder. However, service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied in the September 2008 Board decision. New evidence submitted since then did not provide sufficient material to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a social survey and a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.