Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to his military service, specifically the loud noises he was exposed to during active duty. The Board finds that this condition can be reasonably disassociated from his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss, as defined by VA standards. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no credible evidence of noise exposure during service. The VA examiner considered a more accurate history of post-service noise exposure but still concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is related to his service in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal began. The most recent VA audiometry evaluations have consistently shown no more than a 10 percent rating, with some variability in specific levels attributed to different testing methods and inconsistencies between private and VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that residuals of a cold injury of the bilateral hands are related to service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have started during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss due to concerns about the adequacy of the most recent examination.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his left foot disability, including whether it is secondary to service-connected left Achilles tendonitis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition. The issue of higher evaluation for PTSD and depressive disorder remains pending as it was not addressed by the March 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted at the time of entrance into service and increased during active duty. The Board finds that some of this increase in severity occurred due to noise exposure during service, shifting the burden to VA to show clear and unmistakable evidence that any such increase was not beyond normal progression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and verifying whether merchant ships transported tactical herbicides to Guam. The claims of service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability, attributing these conditions to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no showing of a current disability involving tinnitus. The low back condition issue is being remanded.