Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated as 50 percent disabling since January 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a dental disorder, as well as his requests for increased ratings for residuals of left mandible fracture and headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in and caused by his military service, including exposure to loud noise from firing a tank gun during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted it. The Veteran also has been granted service connection for eczema and seborrhea, which are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by his normal hearing at separation from service. The VA audiologist opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not likely caused by or a result of noise exposure in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his period of service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for referral to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension (C&P) for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is a result of his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with symptoms beginning during active duty. The criteria for presumptive service connection have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule. The evidence showed that his hearing loss was manifested by level II hearing in both ears, and it did not significantly impact his daily activities or employment.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have hearing loss in his right ear, but he does have established hearing loss in his left ear. Service connection for hearing loss of the left ear is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his bilateral hearing loss on his employment and daily activities. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for pulmonary disability and bilateral hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of the requested actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of bilateral ear infections with vertigo. The claim for lumbar DDD and cervical spine stenosis with radiculopathy was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen it.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus with plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, lumbar strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint hypertrophy and strain (major), and left shoulder strain (minor) were denied as there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran's service treatment records show exposure to noise during service but do not indicate the presence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and CAD have been granted initial ratings, with PTSD receiving a 70% rating. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to contaminants.