Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper left leg wound with residual scar, which constitutes a complete grant of his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial, noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological evaluation and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence to support a finding that it was caused by his military service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent left shoulder dislocation, right ankle fracture, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right calcaneal spur, and gout of the right great toe and left wrist due to lack of current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is not related to his military service or any incident therein. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are considered to be directly related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary connection established.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical records. The claim for service connection on an accrued benefits basis was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development of the record is necessary and has remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right ear hearing loss have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA audiological treatment records and a retrospective medical opinion on functional effects of hearing loss prior to September 30, 2011.

The Board denied the appellant's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 15, 2011 did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right ear hearing acuity has been no worse than Level IV throughout the appeal period, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since November 25, 2013. The current rating is considered appropriate based on the audiometric findings from his most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2000. The RO granted a TDIU effective from August 15, 2000, based on his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, asbestosis, and tinnitus) render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.