Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder disability, do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed in a sedentary position and generates an income above the poverty threshold.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service, was not exhibited within the first post-service year, and is not otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected hearing loss disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with a pure tone threshold average of 46 decibels and speech recognition ability of 94 percent. The Board found that this level of disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in relative balance as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and knee conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions remain on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his right ear hearing loss and status post right pectoralis muscle tear.

The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is rated as noncompensable, and no higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder are all granted. The Veteran does not have ratable hearing loss but his hearing has worsened more than 10 dB from his entrance to his exit physical at least at one of the ratable frequencies.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic sinus disability are found to be related to service, while his heart disability is not.,Service connection for residuals of scarlet fever is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and Achilles tendonitis/plantar fasciitis are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability must be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and his military service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private audiology records and clarifying whether the Veteran receives Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits based on his bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not related to his service, including noise exposure. The evidence did not show a continuity of symptoms since service or any other basis for establishing service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not become manifest during service or to a compensable degree within one year after discharge, and there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service. The claim for service connection was denied.