Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied hookworm/parasitic disease and diabetes mellitus type II issues.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected as it is a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a VA-defined disability. The claim of an initial evaluation for PTSD from February 11, 2009, is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment during the period from July 24, 2006 to April 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for degenerative joint disease with traumatic characteristics, lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence received since the August 1994 denial includes relevant official service department records not previously considered.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, with no presumption or other special consideration applied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for syndactyly of the 2nd and 3rd toes bilaterally is denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection due to being a congenital defect.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, with significant exposure to high intensity noise levels throughout his service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a 10 percent disability rating for left ear hearing loss has been denied. The earliest possible effective date is July 25, 2008, the date of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for malaria has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II; anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; and bilateral hearing loss disability are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the current disability is at least as likely as not due to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss that is service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability and the medical evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure resulting in hearing impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 28, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter remains on appeal. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder (chloracne) are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to be due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to its onset in service. For his bilateral hearing loss, while he has a current disability, there is no evidence of such being present during service or within one year postservice, and the competent medical evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as the possibility of obtaining additional VA treatment records. The claim for drug/medication dependency is also being addressed.