Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability (claimed as scoliosis), atrial fibrillation, AV node ablation, pacemaker/defibrillator dependence, heart murmur, and degeneration of the cervical spine do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during his period of active service or within one year thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety attacks and depression were denied. The claim for hearing loss was granted with a noncompensable rating. No new evidence was received to reopen the PTSD claim within one year of its denial in October 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. After review of all available evidence, including VA and private medical opinions, the Board finds that there is at least a reasonable possibility that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his National Guard service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in active military service and granted service connection for this condition. The left knee disorder issue is pending as it involves an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the significance of specific medical data and post-service conditions.

The Veteran's lung, sleep, and skin disorders are not service-connected. The right ear hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's audiometric findings do not establish that he has had a compensable hearing loss disability at any time during the pendency of his claim, even considering an exceptional hearing pattern in one ear. As such, the criteria for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are not met.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected skin disabilities. The Veteran also received initial compensable ratings for his tinea cruris and lichen simplex chronicus, lumbar back and medial buttocks, with scarring, and dyshidrotic eczema of the feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claims for diabetes mellitus and weight control problems or obesity have not met the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension claims, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hand and finger condition, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran's current right hand and finger disability is related to his active service injuries.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently non-compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7101.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with his non-service-connected back and joint conditions, has rendered him unemployable. However, this determination is based on his non-service-connected disabilities rather than solely on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent for the period from May 8, 2012 to November 8, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disability, including migraine headaches, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 30 percent, and service connection for anxiety disorder has been granted. The Veteran does not have a current rating for his other claimed conditions.