Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to an initial, compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of entitlement to initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for post-operative left hip disorder, left knee disorder, scar from cervical spine surgery, right ear hearing loss, and sleep apnea are the main points of concern.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss was denied, and his service connection claim for right ear hearing loss was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left ear hearing loss or service connection for the right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and to address any significant audiological threshold shifts during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a jaw disorder and there is no competent medical evidence linking any diagnosed jaw disability to service. The claim for service connection for a jaw disorder is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his exposure to loud noises during military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the schedular criteria are inadequate to rate the additional occupational impairment caused by his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss based on aggravation during military service. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for sleep apnea and psoriasis are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. The initial compensable evaluation for asthma disability was assigned prior to May 16, 2007, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent was assigned from May 16, 2007, to April 12, 2012, with a subsequent increase to 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss due to marked interference with employment and frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for right tympanic membrane perforation and right ear hearing loss, but denied the claim for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA's definition of a hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability in either ear as defined by VA regulation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, specifically the exposure to high noise levels during combat duty. The claim for service connection is granted.