Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by puretone threshold averages no higher than 75 decibels in the right ear and 83 decibels in the left ear, with speech discrimination scores of at least 74 percent for both ears. The criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent have not been satisfied during the pendency of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss as it is no longer in appellate status due to a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by military noise exposure.,For the increased rating claim for prostatitis, the Board found that the current disability does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating as there is no evidence of urinary leakage requiring absorbent materials or other severe symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of symptoms beyond the scope of the rating schedule in Diagnostic Code 6260, which governs tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and hypertension. The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination or opinion regarding these issues.

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

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include COPD and pneumonia, are remanded due to outstanding audiograms and the need for VA examination. The examiner must determine if any diagnosed respiratory disorders are related to his active duty service, including as due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned effective October 31, 2012.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service and service connection is therefore granted. The Veteran's current sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected PTSD, but further clarification from medical professionals is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar disability and right ear hearing loss are service-connected as they were incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the nose, chronic rhinitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, have combined to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is presumed to have been incurred in service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing it was not permanently made worse by service.

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

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or during the applicable presumption period, and the VA examiner opined that his hearing loss is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow degenerative joint arthritis and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have started during his active duty service due to combat noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable for the portion of the appeal period prior to April 21, 2011. A TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began during, and has been chronic and continuous since discharge from military service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.