Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation and no significant shift in hearing during service. The Veteran did not report any hearing problems upon separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not permanently worsen during service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection based on aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered alone and in combination with his non-service connected conditions, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. His hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.,His burn scar of the right thigh is manifested by pain on examination, warranting a 10% rating effective October 23, 2008. He has radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with mild incomplete paralysis and associated symptoms. His coronary artery disease is stable but not productive of specific complications.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or since service. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the combined rating not meeting the schedular criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted a 30 percent rating for major depressive disorder. The left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and information obtained during this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and chronic mastoiditis were not noted on entrance into military service. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the pre-existence of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

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

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder were denied as there is no credible evidence of a direct relationship to service. The rating for eczema of the feet remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran was granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and hypertension. He is presumed to have glaucoma due to his military service, benign prostatic hypertrophy due to herbicide exposure, and erectile dysfunction also due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been denied as the Veteran did not provide evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a need for additional evidentiary development and adjudication, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disability are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it was caused by noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating, and his claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within one year post-service. The VA examiners found no link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.