Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD, as these issues were addressed in a separate REMAND portion of the decision.,Service connection was denied for left foot disability (residuals of injury) and right foot disability (residuals of stress fracture).,Cervical cancer was not shown during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of his 2013 VA audiological examination report and scheduling him for an examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than level II in his right ear and no worse than level IV in his left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during his active military service and is not presumed to be related to such service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of hypertension, arthritis of the hands, bilateral hearing loss, paroxysmal tachycardia, and carotid artery surgery have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current neck, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities to his military service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for higher initial ratings for headaches and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine remains before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the elbows, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right knee condition, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions that was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from May 2, 2011 and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss from July 1, 1995 through May 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his service, and thus service connection is granted.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, metastatic salivary duct carcinoma (claimed as high grade adenocarcinoma left side), and periodontal disease (claimed as bone loss due to dry mouth syndrome).,For tinnitus, the Board found that it was less likely than not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evidentiary development, including a new VA audiological evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned a disability rating of 20 percent effective from September 15, 2011. The Veteran's pes planus is rated at 20 percent prior to that date and the residuals of his left ankle injury are also rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty training or inactive duty training, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as it existed prior to service and did not worsen beyond its natural progression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to conflicting opinions regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss.