Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable percent under DC 6100. The assigned evaluation for hearing loss is determined by the results of controlled speech discrimination tests and average hearing threshold levels at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in a compensable disability rating, as his puretone thresholds have consistently been at levels that do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee scar is granted a disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, from December 9, 2015. Other issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to June 9, 2014, for a 20% disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis and increased rating for right Achilles tendon disability are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is not service connected as there was no in-service diagnosis and the condition did not manifest within one year of discharge.,Bilateral hearing loss cannot be service-connected due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has ordered new examinations for the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to potential changes in their severity since the last evaluations. The claims are also remanded for a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran’s hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss should be remanded due to missing service records and the need to determine if the hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right wrist disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a link to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible statements regarding in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss and because of the need for additional development in connection with his psoriasis claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service. The Veteran needs to provide additional information about his noise exposure during service and any post-service occupational noise exposure, and a VA examination must be conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, low back (post-herniated nucleus), and primary open angle glaucoma. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule the Veteran for examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). Right ear hearing loss was aggravated by ACDUTRA, while tinnitus had its onset during ACDUTRA.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are currently rated at 40 percent each, but the Board finds that no higher rating is warranted as there is no evidence of exceptional hearing impairment or significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss due to service, as his hearing was normal at discharge and there is no evidence of noise exposure causing permanent hearing loss. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.