Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period. The most recent VA examination did not reveal any worsening of his hearing impairment.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at levels that do not warrant an initial compensable or higher evaluation prior to September 18, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of claw toes or a foot disorder, and her hallux valgus condition is less likely than not related to service. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is not related to service, specifically due to a lack of evidence showing hearing loss during service and no significant shift in hearing between entrance and separation. The VA audiologists concluded it was less likely than not caused by or the result of in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was granted service connection, but a compensable rating remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergies are service connected, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability had its onset during service and granted service connection. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Board found no evidence of a compensable rating as there was no significant impairment in either ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 20 percent from January 9, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not caused by service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.,The Board also found that the Veteran's skin disorders were not caused by exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is granted. The most probative evidence of record demonstrates that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has right ear hearing loss disability that is etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by metastatic small cell lung cancer, which is presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure in service. The Veteran's diabetes and COPD are also presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service.

The Board has decided that the case should be returned to the RO for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as noncompensable prior to September 15, 2016 and as 40 percent disabling since that date. The appeal is denied for both periods.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of confirmation of any change in hearing status since the last adequate evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for hypertension, cold injuries of the left upper extremity, and a disorder manifested by syncope. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension was not established as it did not manifest within one year post-service. Cold injuries of the left upper extremities are not shown by the competent evidence of record, and a disorder manifested by syncope has not been linked to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 22, 2016; a rating in excess of 40 percent from November 22, 2016 to February 5, 2017; and a rating in excess of 10 percent since February 6, 2017.