Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and will be scheduled for another video-conference hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not exceed a puretone threshold average of 27 decibels for the left ear and 29 decibels for the right ear. Neither ear falls below a Maryland CNC speech discrimination score of 96 percent, thus his claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral elbow disorder, or a low back disorder for VA purposes and denied all claims.

The Veteran seeks an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for leioblastoma is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and lumbar strain are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board affirms that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected, as it developed due to in-service acoustic trauma from firing large guns during World War II.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability during service and the medical opinions indicated these conditions are more likely related to post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and low back strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be manifested by Level III hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing in the left ear, which warrants a noncompensable evaluation under the applicable criteria. Therefore, an initial compensable rating is not warranted for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss at any time during the claims period.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 10 percent effective December 14, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss since March 4, 2010. He was granted a 10% disability rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability were denied. The claim for increased rating of left wrist disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion considering all evidence of record, including his pre-service hearing loss and post-service audiological evaluations. The examiner must determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service or not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus for which service connection can be granted. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his back, neck, and hearing loss disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus in service and concluded that it is not related to service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.