Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected and denied his claim. The reduction of his bilateral hearing loss rating from 40% to 30% was implemented, but the decision on whether this reduction was proper remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected residual gunshot wound scars of the left thigh and leg are rated at 20 percent, effective June 1, 2009. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Hoeper and scheduling a VA examination to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, tinea pedis and tinea cruris, polymorphous light eruption (PLE), scars, residual of a shrapnel wound to the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria. The Veteran's contentions and treatment records indicate current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA audiology examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to military service. The examiner must consider the threshold shifts in his hearing acuity at entrance and separation from service.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to multiple disabilities, including the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury that so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The special home adaptation grant claim is moot.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the previous VA opinion and changes in VA policy regarding audiometric data conversion.

The Veteran's 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.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear speech recognition scores and audiometric test results. The Veteran's hearing loss disability will need further examination and clarification of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to postservice occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, and PTSD, is now reopened for consideration.,Bilateral hearing loss is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a current examination for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and to determine if referral for extra-schedular evaluation based on the collective impact of his disabilities is necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after obtaining an addendum medical opinion and any additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the evidence shows exposure to acoustic trauma during service and current symptoms. Service connection for tinnitus is denied as there are no current symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hepatitis and denied his claim for service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined there is no evidence of a compensable rating based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's otosclerosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not meet the criteria for service connection. The evidence showed no in-service aggravation or additional injury to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not have onset in active military service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diminished sense of smell and loss of taste are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence showing a connection between the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and his military service.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is found to have its onset during a period of ACDUTRA, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Right ear hearing loss was also found to have its onset during a period of ACDUTRA, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for residuals of a right ear injury cannot be established as the Veteran does not have evidence of such an injury.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as Level I impairment, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation.