Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss but denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's service-connected TBI is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent), and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including thyroid disability, skin disability, peripheral neuropathy, coldness of the feet, breathing disability, insomnia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, all of which were deemed not attributable to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical evidence and the Veteran's lay assertions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding a claim of service connection for residuals of a perforated right eardrum. The main issue remains unresolved as the claim of vertigo is inextricably intertwined with this new claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss related to his military service and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent since October 9, 2012. The evidence did not show that the disability warranted a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active military service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or within one year after his separation from service. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current hearing loss is due to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's hearing loss prior to January 3, 2011 was rated as noncompensable. From January 3, 2011 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 10 percent for her bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and intermittent atrial arrhythmia have been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for corn of the second toe of the right foot is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as his service treatment records were negative for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for a VA examination by an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist), and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but his pes planus disability has been granted with a non-compensable (zero percent) initial disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the conditions are likely as not due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran's representative provided information about his current symptoms, which may affect the evaluation process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for right anterior tibia injury with residual fascial defect resulting from an anterior tibialis muscle herniation are all granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his right anterior tibia injury.