Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level II in the right ear and level I in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board found that these levels do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was noted at the time of his entrance into service and did not undergo an increase in severity during his period of active duty. The examiner opined that the current hearing loss is more likely related to civilian noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for an eye disability (glaucoma) is pending. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining speech recognition test results and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service, was not caused by an in-service event or injury, and did not manifest within one year of separation from service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection have not been met.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability of sufficient severity to constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes. The Board finds that the evidence does not support the claim for service connection and there is no doubt to be resolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as VA audiological examination is needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of progression during service and post-service civilian occupations provided sufficient noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric testing did not reveal any worse than Level I hearing in either ear.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his condition did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for microalbuminuria (claimed as kidney defect), peptic ulcer, yeast infections, anemia, hematuria and pyelonephritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. His foot rash issue was also addressed but no compensable rating could be assigned.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left hip disability distinct from his service-connected neuralgia of the sciatic nerve affecting his left lower extremity. The only contentions in the record are the Veteran's own statements, which the Board finds insufficient to establish a separate diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The maximum schedular evaluation is assigned for the Veteran's tinnitus, and a referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.,The Veteran's claim seeking an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss claim was not addressed due to a lack of evidence showing clinical onset or etiology.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD was granted. However, his claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service acoustic trauma.