Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at entrance and no complaints or treatment for these conditions during active duty. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinus disability, and eye disability. The evidence did not show aggravation of a pre-existing gastrointestinal condition during active duty or establish that any current disabilities were incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing hearing loss within one year after separation from service and the audiometric results did not show significant shift in hearing acuity during his period of service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial noncompensable rating for painful exostosis of the left anterior chest, residual fracture of the left 9th rib. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating remains on appeal.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the filing of his claim. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had Level I hearing loss in the right ear and Level III hearing loss in the left ear, which corresponds to a 0 percent disability rating.

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

The Veteran's skin condition, including basal cell carcinoma, seborrheic dermatitis and eczema, is not service connected. His vertigo is also not service connected. The Veteran's bilateral eye disability has been rated at 30% since December 10, 2008.

The Veteran's right hamstring strain is rated as non-compensable, with no more than involvement of Muscle Group XIII without muscle wound or damage to the body part it controls.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as zero percent under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board finds that there is no evidence of a compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, as well as consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested in service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the March 2007 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS as due to undiagnosed illness, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, and muscle fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness. The left foot disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while right ear hearing loss was granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a grant of initial ratings.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is established, with an effective date prior to September 27, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to military service.,VA has provided the Veteran with adequate notice regarding his rights and responsibilities in this matter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of his hearing loss, PTSD, and hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active duty military service, and thus grants service connection for this issue.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to fully address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss, as the October 2009 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.