Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 80 percent to 70 percent effective August 21, 2010. The reduction was proper as the Veteran's hearing impairment did not stabilize and is likely to improve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA medical opinion on the etiology of the claimed hearing loss, and to consider the newly submitted private medical opinion in the context of the claim.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss has not worsened to a level that would warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of a private audiogram and an addendum opinion from the January 2012 VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, while his tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not causally related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or sinus disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions. The Board also noted that there was no recurrence of symptoms post-service, and no medical opinion linking the current conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disorder do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from January 23, 2009. The decision is based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 10, 2007 at BryanLGH Heart Institute (BHI) because the treatment was not rendered in an emergency situation and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the effective date is not specified. The current disability rating of 20% has been assigned since January 26, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the Board finding that his hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral Achilles tendonitis is granted. However, his initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since August 5, 2011. The VA examinations conducted during the appeal period have consistently shown Level VI hearing acuity in both ears.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, right leg sprain, and tinea (fungal infection). The decision concluded that there was no separate and distinct disorder in the right lower extremity resulting from military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during or immediately after service, and are not related to acoustic trauma in service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding bone metastasis rated at 100%, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).