Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and determinations regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as he is not restricted in his activities due to this condition. Other claims for service connection and evaluations have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of TBI including vertigo and Parkinson's disease were granted, with a rating in excess of 50 percent for Parkinson's disease. The claim for hearing loss was not granted as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current left knee disorder is found to be related to his military service, including an inservice fall. Service connection is granted for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there was no statement of the case issued.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was incurred during active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability, but denied his claim for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss disability. The right ear hearing loss disability is not considered related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a retired Veterans' Law Judge presiding over the hearing. The Veteran is scheduled for a new video conference hearing before an active Veterans' Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of this disability since service separation and thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable disability rating for perforation of the tympanic membrane of the left ear, finding no current disability in either condition.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their clinical onset in service or within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis were granted increased ratings, with the hearing loss receiving a 20% rating since February 13, 2013. The allergic rhinitis was rated at 20%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities have been reopened, but new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection has not been established for hearing loss or tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination did not adequately consider his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's left knee disability is due to his service-connected bilateral foot disability. The claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The claim for left ear hearing loss was not substantiated as the Veteran did not have sufficient impairment to qualify as a disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of left leg thrombosis, respiratory disability, and left knee disability is addressed in the REMAND section. Other claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of left ear hearing loss and concluding that there was no current disability or in-service injury/illness linking the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

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 and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure.