Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a low back disability at the October 2015 Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete or inaccurate factual bases of the September 2009 VA audiometric examination, and another audiological evaluation is necessary.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and lumbar spine disorder, as well as increased rating for left thumb scar are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's shin splints, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, muscle strain, and residuals of a right calf muscle injury are not related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the other claimed conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 21, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for porphyria cutanea tarda was denied. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 14, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as service connection for colon cancer due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim to reopen his claims for hypertension and COPD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a prostate disorder and right ear hearing loss. The claim for increased rating of left ear hearing loss is referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claims for stress fracture of the left leg, shin splints of the right leg, shin splints of the left leg, and anxiety disorder were also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinitis, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral pes planus, tinnitus, sinusitis, esophageal hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a TDIU and VA outpatient dental treatment.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset during service and is related to his military noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss was not shown to have had its onset during service, nor is it linked to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for substantial compliance with previous Board directives and a VA otolaryngologist examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an in-person VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as noncompensable, and the appeal is denied.