Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since August 6, 2009. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his audiometric testing did not meet the criteria for an exceptional pattern of hearing loss, and his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee, left ankle, and little finger PIP joint are pending. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been denied.,No service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including burn scars, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache disorder, lung disorder, and a right heel injury, have all been denied. The evidence does not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, collectively rated at 90 percent, do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, arthritis and chronic tendonitis of the left shoulder, and lichen simplex chronicus have been granted service connection. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for his left shoulder condition effective January 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The appeals for headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, a right leg disability, and a chronic back disability are dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be due to his period of active military service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as VA treatment records are incomplete.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to assess his current hearing loss, wrist disability, hypertension, foot bunions, and lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability rating was reduced from 50% to 40%, effective April 1, 2014. His seborrheic dermatitis rating was also reduced from 30% to 10%, effective April 1, 2014. The reduction in both ratings is considered proper based on the improvement in his hearing and skin conditions as evidenced by VA audiology evaluations conducted in October 2011 and October 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability, and his bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected. The Board also finds that hypertension was present within one year of separation from service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and extent of his respiratory disorders. The issues of service connection for other respiratory disorders and entitlement to individual unemployability are also being referred.

The Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiometry results from his VA treatment records and providing a clarifying medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and DVT with circulatory issues of the right upper leg, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service. The claim for TMJ disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the in-service injury and any current condition. Service connection for pulmonary embolism was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to the Veteran's active service.