Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection is sought, specifically bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and it has not been shown by competent and credible evidence to have been caused or exacerbated by a disease, an injury, or an event during his service - in particular, repeated exposure to loud noise and consequent injury (i.e., acoustic trauma).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for service connection for a heart disability. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had noise exposure in service, which may be related to his current hearing loss, but no direct link was found between his heart disability and service or any other potential causes.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address the Veteran's lay history of hearing impairment and tinnitus symptoms.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis has been rated at 10 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition affects greater than five percent but less than 20 percent of exposed areas and no systemic therapy was indicated.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux and epigastric pain has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition manifests persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, heartburn, arm pain, nausea, vomiting and digestive pain.,The Veteran's bronchitis is considered part of his already service-connected COPD and thus cannot be rated separately. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition does not meet the criteria for a separate disability.,There is no evidence of chronic pneumonia at any point during the pendency of this appeal. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no indication of such an issue.,Hyperlipidemia was not considered a service-connected disability and thus cannot be rated. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as hyperlipidemia is merely a laboratory finding.,The Veteran's hypertension has been rated at 10 percent since November 27, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The Veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disability other than hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux and epigastric pain attributable to service. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the condition has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2008.,Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis was not considered a service-connected disability and thus cannot be rated. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying entitlement to service connection for plantar warts did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying entitlement to service connection for varicose veins did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.,The May 1976 decision denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma did not contain an outcome determinative error in applying the law extant at that time to the facts that were before the adjudicator. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there was no evidence of such an issue attributable to service or service-connected disease.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 30% rating for service-connected painful scars on his right wrist, left 4th toe, and medial forearm is denied as there was no pending claim or documented evidence of multiple painful scars prior to May 27, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. His claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right-sided cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) with left hand weakness, left facial palsy, left temporal hemianopsia, receptive, expressive aphasia, dizzy spells, and memory impairment have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic heart disease due to Agent Orange exposure, and the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA audiological examinations and medical opinions, the Board finds no nexus between the current hearing loss disability and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the March 2013 VA audiology evaluation for determining whether the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to service noise exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a VA examination report and the need for another audiological evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, with cumulative noise exposure being a significant factor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service. The heart disability, warts on the legs, skin condition of the arms and legs, hypothyroidism, and cataracts are not currently addressed due to the need for further development.

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