Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.,Service connection for the right knee disability is granted as it was aggravated by service, with a current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome.,A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss that meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The Board affirms this decision as his symptoms align with the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis, but a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was established from January 24, 2012.

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

The Board has granted service connection for Crohn's disease and reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, to include a left ear disability. The Veteran is presumed exposed to acoustic trauma during military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the pending service connection for hypertension. The issue of service connection for hypertension has been addressed in a separate rating decision and is currently remanded.

The Veteran's hearing acuity is no worse than Level III in the right ear and a Level II in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating for his hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including referral to the Director of VA's Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU determination. The Veteran is seeking initial compensation ratings for her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to loud noises in combat engineering duties during service, but the evidence did not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for higher ratings for other disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been granted. He is now in receipt of a compensable evaluation for his varicose veins, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right thigh scar, and secondary service connection for his heart disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and therefore grants secondary service connection for tinnitus. The issue of right ear hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including in-service noise exposure. The hypertension claim is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy is granted. The Board finds that the diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy is part and parcel to the Veteran's currently service-connected prostate disability, warranting service connection.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss, experienced acoustic trauma during service, and reports continuous symptoms since separation. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service due to noise exposure, warranting service connection under presumptive provisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further adjudication as the combined rating percentage requirement of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) is not met, and the issue should be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to service, with the Board resolving all doubts in his favor.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional information regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. Specifically, an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to TCE at Castle Air Force Base during his military service.