Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was noted at enlistment, and the VA examiner opined that it did not worsen during service. The left ear hearing loss is not shown in service or for many years thereafter. Tinnitus is also not shown in service or for many years thereafter. Prior to February 27, 2012, PTSD was manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances and inability to establish effective relationships. From February 27, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD is manifested by total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran had a single service-connected disability (PTSD) prior to February 27, 2012, which precluded him from maintaining gainful employment. As of February 27, 2012, the Veteran has a 100% rating for PTSD, making the issue of TDIU moot.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service and the Board affirms that his claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes. The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. For the lumbar spine disability, the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service due to lack of evidence of symptoms during or shortly after service, and no clear and convincing evidence linking current disabilities to service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is granted. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has established a nexus between his COPD and skin cancer with exposure to herbicide agents, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear, finding that new evidence supports a grant of service connection. The decision is based on noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the October 31, 1986 accident report and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding his tinnitus and feet disabilities.

The case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling the Veteran for an audiological examination to determine the current nature and likely etiology of his bilateral hearing loss. A VA examination is also necessary to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any time during this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity sensory deficit, right lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve deficit are not entitled to higher initial ratings as the evidence does not support a finding of more than mild or moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board Videoconference hearing due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not a result of injury in service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a VA examination regarding his service-connected occipital scalp laceration. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neurological residuals of maxillary and mandibular fractures, and generalized anxiety disorder are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current hearing loss or low back disability, and the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service noise exposure are not credible. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.