Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to February 3, 2014, and as 10 percent disabling effective that date. The Board found the current ratings were adequate based on the established criteria in the Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches are likely due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, including exposure to noise and combat injuries. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and the evidence is at least in relative equipoise concerning whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The claims were denied.

The Board denied all claims including service connection for PTSD, atrial arrhythmia with pacemaker (construed as ischemic heart disease) (heart disorder), and diabetes. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities and bilateral hearing loss were also not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hearing loss of the right ear was denied as there is not more than a level I hearing impairment throughout the period at issue, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and eczematous dermatitis were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied as there is no evidence that it is related to his military service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated at level I in the right ear and level IV in the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to noise exposure during his military service. The claim for a bilateral knee disability remains pending and will be remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip disability and finds no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's labyrinthitis was found to have its clinical onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic attacks and PTSD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, low back disorder, or neck disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no evidence of record to support service connection for a bilateral knee condition or headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for more contemporaneous medical findings regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as it has been nearly five years since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the knees were withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's headaches are currently under consideration as part of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.