Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia, finding that the Veteran's hearing loss was aggravated by his military service. Service connection for right inguinal hernia is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, kidney disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and the Board finds that he has established service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia, gastritis with erosions, and Crohn's disease since March 28, 2013. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. Service connection was established for perianal fistula, allergic rhinitis, residuals of a deviated septum, and folliculitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are service-connected, but his left shoulder disability and back disability cannot be linked to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or were otherwise caused by his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, including the need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during combat. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his military service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current evidence meeting VA's criteria.,Service connection is also granted for Raynaud's disease and vasospastic disease of both hands, which the Veteran contends were caused by cold injury during service.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for a dependent spouse was denied as he did not provide the necessary information within one year of notification and his effective date is March 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, thus the claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, GERD, and TBI were denied. Service connection was granted for cervical spine disability with a 10% rating effective July 16, 2009, and lumbar spine disability with a 10% rating prior to November 28, 2011, and a 20% rating thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable since the date of service connection. The VA examiner found that his hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating based on the Maryland CNC speech discrimination test results and pure tone thresholds.