Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the assigned noncompensable rating has not been updated to reflect his current condition as of November 7, 2013. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for bilateral hearing loss effective from November 7, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's service dates and obtain his service treatment records. The claims for reopening of bilateral hearing loss and hypothyroidism will be remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under DC 6260.,Right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric testing results and VA examination findings.,Bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's disability is characterized by severe symptoms including pain, swelling, and characteristic callosities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the withdrawal of his claims regarding hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and the reopening of his claim for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service combat noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The conditions are found to be as likely as not related to inservice acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has been withdrawn. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss results in Level II hearing acuity, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a back condition is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for glaucoma of the right eye has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA audiological examination and issuance of an SOC regarding the issues of service connection and reopening claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not manifested by a level of hearing acuity necessary for a compensable rating, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the effective date of his award. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as an evaluation of his ability to work due to service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is also raised.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as is his back disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder warrants a 20 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and audiogram results. The Veteran's claim of bilateral hearing loss is being reviewed again to determine if it was incurred in or caused by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, urinary tract infections, and right ankle disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or residuals from in-service injuries.,There are no records showing the presence of a current disability related to any of these conditions.