Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's right little finger disability did not warrant a compensable rating, and his bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease has been rated at various levels based on his level of activity that results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The rating was increased to 60% from October 3, 2005, and decreased back to 60% effective December 2, 2013.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20% since October 13, 2010. Prior to this date, the rating was based on Level IV hearing loss in both ears. The improvement in his hearing after October 13, 2010, led to a decrease in the rating.,The Veteran's asbestosis has been rated at 30% since August 12, 2013. Prior to this date, the rating was based on FVC of 75-80 percent predicted or DLCO (SB) of 66-80 percent predicted. The improvement in his condition after August 12, 2013, led to a decrease in the rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability had onset during active service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

Service connection granted for right knee disability and left ear hearing loss. Skin disorder claim not addressed due to lack of herbicide exposure evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's periods of active duty are unclear, and his hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an increased rating for a scar, status post-operative left inguinal hernia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show the presence of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes or any other basis for service connection. For his back, left ankle, and knee disabilities, new examinations are required to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The hearing loss is rated as zero percent, the right arm and shoulder injury as 20 percent, and cervical spine degenerative changes as 10 percent. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,The evidence received since the June 2004 decision supports reopening the Veteran's claim, but does not provide sufficient evidence to grant a higher rating for his right knee disability or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran is prevented from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence supports that he suffers severe PTSD symptoms which prevent him from obtaining employment outside of his home.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss but is unable to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 2005 decision. The new evidence received since that time supports a later onset date for complete hearing loss in the Veteran's right ear, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her service, including noise exposure during service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia and lateral laxity were not adjudicated in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on continuity of symptoms since service, which is considered presumptive under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis within one year of separation. The Veteran's reports of onset after service do not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated as noncompensable prior to April 28, 2014. From April 28, 2014 to January 19, 2015, the rating was increased to 10 percent. Since then, the rating has been further increased to 30 percent effective December 3, 2015.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable since December 1, 2009. The VA examinations showed that the service-connected left ear had a numeric designation of IV and the nonservice-connected right ear had a numeric designation of I.