Hearing loss decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability of the left ear for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection for asthma and hearing loss are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification of the March 2012 VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus, which are currently considered service-connected under a direct theory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss or residuals of excision, carpal boss, dorsum right hand and fracture, long finger.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as Level I (mild) in both ears, resulting in no compensable rating. The Board finds that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and adequate medical opinion regarding hypertension. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to an inadequate examination report, specifically regarding the functional effects of the Veteran's hearing loss disability on his daily activities and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The RO previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign appropriate disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating at any point during the period on appeal.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss or cardiovascular disease to his service and therefore denied these claims. The claim for increases in the ratings assigned for right ear hearing loss prior to April 12, 2011 was also denied. However, a rating of 30% was granted for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied because it did not manifest within a year after service. PTSD was not diagnosed during service and thus cannot be granted based on service connection.,The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA benefits funds was found to be lacking.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability, specifically bilateral hearing loss, related to service. The Veteran's reported noise exposure in service did not result in any threshold shifts on audiometric testing at separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right great toenail removal, or tinnitus for VA purposes. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for further proceedings, including a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable, and the claim for an increased evaluation has been denied.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied. The Veteran's eye condition (presbyopia) is not service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not been shown to warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure to noise from marine diesel engines, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.