Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral visual impairment with SMC, and hypertension have been denied. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left upper extremity scars, and cardiac disability is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran has these conditions but does not establish a direct link to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a broken nose (including deviated nasal septum) are granted, with the latter finding at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and reliance on insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and residuals thereof is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current disability was incurred in or caused by his military service. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of hearing impairment during active duty, and any increase in hearing loss after service is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 16, 2011, for a 10 percent rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's respiratory disorder is not related to service exposure, and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not related to his service, as there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since service separation. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as non-compensable prior to September 6, 2017 and assigned a 10% rating beginning on that date. The Board found no evidence of increased severity before September 6, 2017.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent rating for low back pain, muscular with productive and degenerative changes from September 1, 2017. The Board also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bladder disorder. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The effective date for this increased rating is November 17, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, pinched nerve in the back, right hand disability, and right arm, shoulder, and elbow disabilities are denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service and granted a 10% rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection and TDIU, including obtaining verification of her periods of active duty training (ADT) after 1980, obtaining all relevant VA and non-VA treatment records, scheduling a VA audiology examination, and verifying SSA disability benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, left elbow disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's dermatitis claim was granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 27, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, it is at least as likely as not that his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of increased decibel loss during service. The separation examination showed normal hearing, and subsequent audiometric testing did not show any significant increase in hearing loss.