Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot cold injury, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his education level and work experience.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear high frequency hearing loss was denied, as the audiometric results did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The claim for a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to June 12, 2013 was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, but not due to alcohol abuse. The VA psychiatrist concluded that PTSD did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's alcohol use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for defective vision and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claims for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, left arm disorder, and right arm disorder. The evidence received was not sufficient to reopen any of these previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's dermatitis of the right hand is found to be due to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that there is not enough evidence to establish a direct link between his current hearing loss disability or heart disorder (Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome) and his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, effective June 6, 2009. Appeals for bilateral hearing loss and nose bleeds have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is set at March 8, 1986, based on a presumption of herbicide exposure. Claims to reopen for rheumatic fever with residual heart murmur of mitral regurgitation and residuals of a stroke are denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 12, 2012, and a rating greater than 10 percent as of that date are not satisfied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board then determined that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.