Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating prior to April 25, 2012 and since August 16, 2014. For the period from April 25, 2012 through August 15, 2014, an initial 20 percent rating was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally or etiologically due to service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not established.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to May 22, 2007. As of that date, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability from 70 percent to 40 percent was proper based on improved speech discrimination scores and adequate audiometric findings.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his foot and ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the medical opinion provided by the VA audiologist and additional development of the claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional actions, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining an examination to assess the etiology of his squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active military service and is granted service connection. The claims for hearing loss, left eye disability, and tuberculosis are remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and denied service connection for upper extremity neuropathy due to lack of evidence supporting direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it involves issues not directly about service connection, such as continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. Bilateral hearing loss is found to be aggravated by service, while tinnitus is attributable to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that he has established service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss did not originate in service and is not related to any incident therein, including a claimed perforated left eardrum. The VA examiner concluded that the current bilateral hearing loss was less likely as not caused by or a result of M1 fire near the left ear during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. His claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed as his benefit is already in effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied, but his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 19, 2013, and in excess of 20 percent as of that date has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable under the applicable rating criteria, and a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg meralgia paresthetica is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and thus, he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for this disability.