Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected hearing loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not service-connected. The claims for back disability and PTSD are also denied.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and left heel spur disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either disability at any point on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and credible evidence linking them to her military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically duty on the avionics flight line. The Veteran has current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus which is at least as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during active duty in Vietnam. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear and finds that it was incurred in service. The decision grants service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his pre-existing right ear hearing loss that he contends was aggravated by noise exposure during military service. The VA examiner found no increase in severity of the condition during service, but concluded it is at least as likely as not due to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his period of service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's left great toe disability is not currently addressed as the issue was remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder have all been denied. The only condition found to be service connected is the pre-existing left femur fracture with residual leg shortening.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, while his neurologic impairment of both upper extremities is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Board has determined that effective dates of October 17, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and February 28, 2012 for cold weather injury of right foot and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity are warranted based on the Veteran's intent to apply for benefits.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the schedular criteria were adequate to rate his disability, and there were no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and scheduling him for a hearing on his PTSD claim.