Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and insufficient evidence to establish a link between right ear hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and additional medical records. The service connection claim for left plantar fibroma is inextricably intertwined with the temporary total disability rating claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and granted it, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability was incurred during active service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of left ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a perforated tympanic membrane. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues as they are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which may be related to combat noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, initial rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and a mood disorder. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, shoulder disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of balance and vertigo, chest pain, heart dysrhythmia, and blood clots and phlebitis were denied. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board video-conference hearing. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board finds that the preexisting condition did not worsen as a result of noise exposure in service.

The Veteran died in May 2012 from cardiopulmonary arrest, with underlying causes including interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis. The death was not due to service-connected disabilities, so the claim for increased burial benefits is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received within one year of the October 1992 rating decision, thus keeping it from becoming final. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's audiometric evaluations show at worst Level I hearing impairment in one ear and Level II hearing impairment in the other ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The claim for vitiligo was denied as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not arise during or as a result of his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased evaluation for lumbar strain was withdrawn by the Veteran.