Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and vertigo, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence linking the current vertigo to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, including exposure to aircraft engine noise. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and arthritis of the left shoulder were denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for an increased rating for the left shoulder scar was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a higher evaluation prior to January 16, 2013, and is not in excess of 10 percent after that date.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the award of service connection for a hearing loss disorder and a back disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and result in physical incapacity which requires care or assistance on a regular basis. The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to symptoms of diffuse bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness and dysphagia resulting in an inability to ambulate and difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and medication management.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification from a private physician regarding his March 2010 opinion and scheduling an audiometric examination. The Veteran's current hearing loss is being evaluated to determine if it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted is inadequate and requires further development, including a new VA audiology examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to have had its onset in service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issues of initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and initial ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to December 4, 2013, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, as evaluated under the applicable VA rating criteria, does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The evidence shows that his hearing acuity is at worst Level I in both ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation tables.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently manifested by Level I hearing acuity.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 31, 2014. However, the Board granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss since March 31, 2014.