Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he has reported worsening since the last examination. The appeal will be adjudicated again after this additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and that this condition is related to service, as evidenced by noise exposure during his military service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was withdrawn. The initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing acuity met the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 8, 2011 and from December 8, 2011 onwards. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran's range of motion was limited by pain, weakened movement, and flares upon repetition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting audiometric test results and a need for further medical evaluation. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the issues of service connection remain unresolved as new evidence does not establish a clear and unmistakable increase in severity during service or provide sufficient evidence to determine if noise exposure caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to May 28, 2010 for tinnitus. The claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and back disability were denied.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence showing that current foot symptoms are related to cold weather exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and may not be presumed to have been due to noise exposure during service. The examiner concluded it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hearing loss was due to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since January 2010, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion regarding left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct a VA examination. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on hold, as does the service connection claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II are service-connected. The claim for residuals of thyroid removal is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to herbicide exposure or service.