Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his left ear hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation at any point.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are related to his military service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his active service, but there is no evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability during service or within one year thereafter. The claim for right ear hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to have worsened since February 12, 2013, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 40 percent since April 18, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since April 2003. The claim for an increased rating was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss warranted a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death due to esophageal cancer. His total disability rating was granted based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent effective October 4, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining an opinion regarding any relationship between his claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent since June 27, 2013. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating based on exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for back disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, or kidney cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a right ear hearing loss disability and found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his claim of service connection for left testicle removal with erection and fertility problems.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining supplemental opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for his shell fragment wound of the right lumbar area were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision is based on credible evidence of acoustic trauma in service and post-service audiometric findings meeting VA criteria.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her service-connected hypothyroidism and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to this disability. The Board has determined that further development is needed, including scheduling the Veteran for VA audiology examination, obtaining additional records, and considering whether staged ratings or extra-schedular considerations are warranted.