Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, currently with a noncompensable evaluation prior to October 13, 2011 and a 10 percent evaluation thereafter, was granted. The effective date is set at October 13, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss in the left ear, but not in the right ear. The Veteran's lower back strain and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent for the period from August 19, 2009 to July 17, 2010. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on audiometric and speech recognition scores.

The Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to his military service, and the Board has determined that it was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of CABG, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy, are sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for bilateral foot pes cavus, bilateral foot calcaneal spur, left foot plantar fasciitis, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from September 1, 2012.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the Board finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cataracts, macular degeneration, presbyopia, and dermatochalasis was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The right ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disabilities, prostate disability, and anal disability will be evaluated further.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.

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 hearing loss disability within one year post-service. The VA and private medical opinions were against a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current level of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a staged rating of 60 percent effective from February 26, 2013. Ratings for the condition in excess of this are not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.