Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were not caused by his military noise exposure, but rather due to their onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a private audiogram report and an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is not related to in-service noise exposure and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash and pruritus, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was evaluated at a pure-tone average of 72 decibels in the right ear and 58 decibels in the left ear, resulting in a Level VI rating in the right ear and Level II rating in the left ear according to VA criteria. These ratings do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's colon symptoms are due to radiation proctitis, which is related to his service-connected prostate cancer. The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed colon disorder (radiation proctitis) is secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted it. The Veteran's skin condition and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hand, foot, ankle, leg, and tarsal tunnel disorders are related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not established as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current diagnoses. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. For the entire rating period, GERD has been manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with heartburn and regurgitation, warranting a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and tinea cruris and pedis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, mild tympanisclerosis of the left tympanic membrane, and residuals of a right eyelid shrapnel wound remains denied.,The Veteran has raised claims for TDIU which are inextricably intertwined with his service connection and increased rating claims.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a review of the September 2008 audiometric testing and a more recent VA examination to determine the current level of hearing loss disability. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 30, 2009.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is caused or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and needs to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish that these conditions began during or were caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left knee conditions, bilateral metatarsalgia, and mechanical low back strain with degenerative lumbar spondylosis have been granted. His hepatitis has also been rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression; an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus; and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.,The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings or referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for disabilities resulting from a VA procedure in April 2001, but the case has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding negligence and causation.