Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability of residuals from chronic left ear infections, nor does he have hearing loss as a result of such. The evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's dates of active duty and reserve service, providing an examination for his skin disability, and determining whether his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that hepatitis C was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied the claim. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran's preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year post-service, and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure. The same conclusion was reached for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The VA audiometric findings prior to separation from service showed normal hearing, and there was no significant shift in hearing levels greater than normal measurement variability during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable and subsequent higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of zero percent prior to September 2, 2014, or any higher rating thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and assigned an effective date of September 11, 2008. The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 20 percent disabling, while painful limitation of motion of the right knee is rated at 10 percent. The left ureteral calculus (kidney stone) has been rated as non-compensable.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service and was more likely caused by civilian noise exposure. The TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding employment status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the January 10, 1973 rating decision which initially denied these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability may be related to in-service noise exposure, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service acoustic trauma.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left foot disorder, and a back disorder. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not related to service or any incident of service, while finding his tinnitus was incurred during service. The VA examiner also determined that the Veteran's pes cavus existed prior to military service and was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be clinically associated with his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his attempts to reopen previously denied claims. The evidence submitted since the last denial is not considered new and material.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg numbness and tingling has been withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine condition with bilateral radiculopathy, and left thumb scar with peripheral nerve condition, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.