Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Prior to May 27, 2015, the Veteran's hypertension was rated at 10 percent. From May 27, 2015, forward, it has been rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating for either period.,The Veteran's status-post discectomy and laminectomy with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5 was initially rated as 10 percent prior to May 27, 2015, and has been increased to 40 percent from that date. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially rated as 10 percent prior to May 27, 2015, and has been increased to 20 percent from that date. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a separate 20 percent rating effective May 27, 2015.,The Veteran's radiculopathies are rated under Diagnostic Codes 8520 and have been increased to reflect their severity based on the degree of impairment they cause. The Board finds no basis for granting higher ratings in either case.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of PTSD and hearing loss remain on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be due to injury incurred during active service, and the appeal for this issue is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, manifested by cold sweats, had its onset in service. The bilateral foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The bilateral knee disability was not incurred in service, nor is it due to a service-connected disability. The hearing loss disability of either ear was not incurred in service. Tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, squamous cell cancer, and hiatal hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a current disability in accordance with VA regulations or linking the disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including clarification from the New Sound Hearing Aid Center regarding the use of the Maryland CNC test in their July 2013 audiometric testing and an addendum opinion from the most recent VA examiner to explain the difference in results between the February 2012 and September 2015 VA examinations and the May 2011 and July 2013 private examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's fungal infection of ten toenails and right thumb is related to his service, specifically his time in Vietnam where he experienced wet conditions. As a result, the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine (neck) disorder, headaches, and lumbar spine (low back) disorder have been withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of arthritis manifest to 10% within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were caused by noise exposure during his active military service.,However, the Board found insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for the low back disorder due to an injury sustained while on active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, bilateral eye disability (claimed as dry eyes), right lower extremity disability, hearing loss, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability for VA compensation purposes, his bilateral eye disabilities are not related to herbicide exposure, and he has not provided competent evidence of direct causation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The most severe audiometric results corresponded to a level I designation, warranting a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic low back pain discogenic disease with clinical radiculopathy, cervical myositis, a right leg disability, chronic gastritis, and chronic anxiety disorder. The decision also remanded issues related to service connection for low back pain discogenic disease with clinical radiculopathy, cervical myositis, a right leg disability, chronic gastritis, and chronic anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are service-connected, but his bilateral ankle disability, neck pain, skin cancer, and other conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and a rating assigned for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and gastrointestinal disorder. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD, DDD of the lumbar spine (including left lower extremity radiculopathy), and right shoulder rotator cuff and panlabral tear are still pending.

The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by noise exposure during service, resulting in a bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board granted service connection for the condition based on this aggravation.

The April 2010 rating decision granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from November 20, 2009. The Veteran now seeks an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during combat in the Korean War. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during service and has granted service connection for this condition.