Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new audiological examination. The propriety of the reduction in his prostate cancer disability rating from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective May 1, 2014, will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria for service connection, and the examiner concluded that any tinnitus was less likely than not caused by noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year of separation, and the medical evidence does not support a connection to service. The VA examiner found that the current hearing loss is less likely related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are too numerous and severe to identify a feasible vocational goal, leading to the denial of his VR&E benefits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable since the grant of service connection in August 2008. The most recent VA examination did not show any improvement in her hearing acuity, and thus a compensable rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred as a result of herbicide exposure during active service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain accurate hearing loss and neurological impairment evaluations, as well as to determine the extent of any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's objectively assessed level of hearing acuity in either ear does not meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes due to bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection is granted. The hearing loss claim requires additional development due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during active duty or National Guard service. The skin disorder claim also needs further clarification of the etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and right shoulder and neck torticollis. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensably disabling (0 percent) under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, respiratory disorder (presumed due to herbicide exposure), and GERD, are not related to his active service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and stomach disability due to a stab wound have been reopened, but the claim is denied as there is no legal basis for an increased rating of tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches, right ankle sprain and DJD, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome and DJD, lumbar strain with thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD) and spondylosis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and increased rating for right wrist ganglion cyst. The appeal is remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted service connection.