Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, have been rated at a combined 70 percent effective August 15, 2011. These conditions are found to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the hearing loss being determined to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of hearing loss in the left ear within one year of discharge from active duty, and the medical opinion does not support a finding that current hearing loss is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a medical opinion regarding the functional effects of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss on his ordinary activities, and to adjudicate whether a compensable rating for this condition should be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including another VA compensation examination to reassess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and a medical opinion on whether he is unemployable due to all service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after these additional steps.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ear hearing loss and its functional effects.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, foot pain, chest pain, and a disability characterized as pain of bones, joints, and muscles has been withdrawn. The Board finds that tinnitus is etiologically related to her period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft, auxiliary power units, and other equipment during active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other service connection factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his active service, to include noise exposure therein. Therefore, the criteria for service connection for tinnitus have been met.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for defective vision has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of this issue. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, and residuals of lacerations to the left index and ring fingers. The scar above the Veteran's left eye was noted during his military enlistment but did not permanently worsen during or as a result of his service.