Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service loud noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. For the issue of frostbite/cold injury residuals, a VA examination is needed to determine if any such residuals are present and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a ratable bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's strongyloides infection did not have its onset in service and was not related to his service-connected conditions. The cause of death, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is considered immediate rather than contributory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, left foot pes planus with plantar callus, and bilateral hearing loss are all granted. The Veteran had preexisting left foot pes planus that was aggravated by service, and his current bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss requires additional development and remands, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any SSA benefit records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 31, 2014, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from January 31, 2014.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, GERD, residual scar from a left breast lumpectomy, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability, but finds in favor of service connection for left ear hearing loss and cysts of the earlobes.,Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and cysts of the ear lobes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for an updated evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The hearing loss disability of the right ear was not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis. His combined evaluation of 80% meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 10 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury without residuals prior to March 28, 2013, with no further increase in rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The Veteran's functional impairment was noted but did not result in an additional schedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete evidence. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is currently before the Board.