Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an opinion from an otolaryngologist regarding whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide another opinion by an appropriate specialist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service events. The claims were reopened due to new evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's hearing impairment has been no worse than Level I in the left ear and Level XI in the right ear, resulting in a combined rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating is denied as his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease with osteochondromatosis, or right knee degenerative joint disease prior to June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his Vietnam-era service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition. For the other issues, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension, additional evidence is needed as they are not clearly related to service or presumptive exposure. A respiratory disability claim based on asbestos exposure will be addressed after obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection. The Veteran's left foot condition to include plantar fasciitis and his left shoulder disability were not addressed due to lack of appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new VA audiological examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noise in a flight line environment. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent from February 28, 2007 and 80 percent from June 2, 2014. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate based on the audiometric results provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder disability, as well as his requests for initial ratings for right knee injury/meniscal tear and scarring associated with that condition. The Veteran was also not granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic disabilities related to his claimed conditions.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, epistaxis, anemia/iron deficiency, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's right foot bunion was granted an increased rating to 10 percent effective July 1, 2010. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to afford the Veteran a hearing.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been manifested by a numeric designation no greater than Level III, which does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his history of noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not occur in service or due to any incident of his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.