Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current VA audiological examiner did not adequately address his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition, flatfeet, back problems, hearing loss, and frequent urination. The decision found that pre-existing bilateral flatfeet were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded. His request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The VA payment of $20,204.16 to the appellant as attorney fees on July 23, 2012 was improper because she no longer represented the Veteran in his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that new evidence received since the August 2003 denial supports reopening of this claim. The Veteran is presumed to have in-service noise exposure, and there is credible lay evidence linking current bilateral hearing loss to such exposure. As a result, the Board finds that service connection should be granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the residuals of fracture of the right 5th and 2nd metacarpals are currently rated at 30 percent. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with puretone thresholds at each of the specified frequencies ranging from 20 to 95 decibels in both ears. The VA examinations and audiometric testing have consistently shown that the Veteran's hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that there are no pending appeals related to the issues of service connection for plantar fasciitis, a heart disability, an increased rating for thoracic spine lordosis, and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is etiologically related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and the Board grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for clarification on the type of hearing he wishes to have.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right inguinal hernia residuals are related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not considered a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated as 0 percent prior to April 18, 2013 and 10 percent from that date. The Board found no evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing loss or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, specifically addressing noise exposure in service. Further examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues to this day, granting service connection for this condition. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining audiometric testing results and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The TDIU claim will also be addressed with a medical opinion on the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA audiological examination, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during service and is granted as incurred. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability will be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.