Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus are related to his military service, while right ear hearing loss is not. The claim for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury. The VA examiner concluded that the disabilities were more likely due to civilian occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to assess the impact of his bilateral hearing loss on his employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left knee and right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and headache disability were granted, with the headache rating being increased to 50 percent effective July 27, 2012. The left great toenail deformity was granted an initial non-compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not presumed due to noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss is less likely related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shell fragment wounds to the back and right shoulder, did not render him unemployable prior to August 12, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, headaches, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and cervical spine joint and disc disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to his active duty. The VA examinations provided opinions indicating no link between the Veteran's current condition and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin spots, and bilateral foot fungus are all granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his military service, including acoustic trauma and otitis media or claimed 'cat fever' occurring therein. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right ear hearing loss have been denied as there is no current disability found in either condition, and the evidence does not meet VA compensation criteria.