Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of pneumonia, and a deviated nasal septum. The claim for an increased rating for left eye cataract was also denied as there is no evidence showing corrected visual acuity of 10/200 or less in one eye.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for any portion of the rating period.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensably disabling, as evidenced by multiple VA audiological examinations showing Level I hearing impairment in both ears. The Board found no evidence to support a higher rating based on the inconsistent private audiometric results and concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss does not warrant an increased disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, including due to a traumatic injury in service. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since May 23, 2006. The Board finds that the current evaluation is appropriate based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and provide a thorough examination of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be service-connected as his in-service noise exposure did not result in a disability level under VA standards. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and a TDIU rating related to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability. The claims to reopen the leg thrombosis were remanded.,VA will need to obtain updated treatment records related to the Veteran's lower extremity conditions and arrange for an audiologist to provide an opinion regarding his left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a Travel Board hearing. The initial and increased disability evaluations for service-connected bilateral hearing loss are at issue.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and skin disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a neurologic disorder (to include Parkinson's disease), a headache disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and a heart disorder. The Veteran did not have any of these conditions during service or within one year after separation, and the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, providing VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection claims, and seeking a VA medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a head injury, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's foot disorder, claimed as skin problems and a burning sensation involving the feet, both due to chemical exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the referral of other claims and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.