Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes, blurred vision, and sleep disturbances have been withdrawn. The claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is linked to his service, including exposure to loud sounds during combat. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant private treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The appellant requested the withdrawal of their appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, calluses of feet, hypertension, and a scar of the left eyebrow are denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, to include manifestations of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's chronic liver disability is not related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and grants service connection for this condition.,Bilateral hearing loss was not caused by the Veteran's active service. Tinnitus was found to be due to acoustic trauma during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of throat nodules, which are presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for this condition.,Service connection is denied for residuals of a left leg wound and tinea pedis (athlete's foot).,Bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss, which is presumed to have been caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for tinnitus/vertigo, chest pains, headaches, and possibly neck pain. The other conditions have not met this standard.,For bilateral hearing loss, no new and material evidence was found. For left knee, leg, and ankle disabilities, no new and material evidence was found either.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a rating of 50 percent, effective July 1, 2010. The reduction from 70 percent to 50 percent was supported by evidence showing sustained improvement in his hearing acuity.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his most recent audiometric evaluations show no more than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound scar on the left arm is not rated compensably, and his bilateral hearing loss has been rated appropriately based on VA examination findings.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, or a respiratory disability that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA compensation examination. The examination will assess whether these conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to noise.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board dismissed an issue seeking an increased rating for a left knee disability, denied entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss, and denied entitlement to earlier effective date for the November 1, 2005 assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's motion alleging CUE in the July 2009 Board decision was dismissed as the Court affirmed the Board's decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's muscle and joint pain is due to an undiagnosed illness, which is not attributable to any known clinical diagnosis. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.