Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent prior to January 1, 2011. His major depressive disorder was initially assigned a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection claims and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service personnel records, which may affect the determination of noise exposure. The case will be returned to the VA examiner for a new opinion regarding the relationship between any current hearing loss and tinnitus and military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to a compensable initial disability rating for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation during the appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not show that the current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the claimant conceded exposure to hazardous noise. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a rating of 40 percent effective May 17, 2012.,The RO denied the Veteran's claims for right eye uveitis and left knee disability prior to December 3, 1996.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for restoration of an 80 percent rating, increased disability rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including audiometric testing.