Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left foot and/or ankle injury, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claims were denied as his claims are not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the reduction from a 70% rating to a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss was proper, based on improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification on the speech recognition scores from his December 2011 private audiometric examination, as they may not comply with VA regulations for rating purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, with his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability are related to his active duty service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, while left ear hearing loss and gastritis (claimed as GERD) are not. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for post-concussive headaches and PTSD.,PTSD benefits were granted only for the period from June 15, 2009 to September 23, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case on several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during active service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office to obtain clarification from Dr. R.H., who provided a hearing test report in September 2008, regarding the puretone threshold readings for frequencies 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz. The Veteran is asked to provide any recent audiometric testing records from Dr. R.H. or other providers.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for prostate disorder, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and determining whether the Veteran was exposed to herbicides during service. The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for prostate cancer are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected as they are related to his in-service noise exposure during combat.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a scar of the right lower leg is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran incurred a scar during active duty and it is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a Travel Board hearing, which was not scheduled. The case will be processed again after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Board has found that the Veteran's flat feet with plantar fasciitis is likely related to active service and grants this claim. The hearing loss disability issue remains pending as it was addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active service, including conceded in-service exposure to acoustic trauma. The examiner must interpret and convert the June 30, 1960 audiometric graphical results into numerical results.