Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hearing loss has been rated as noncompensable, with the most recent VA examination showing Level I hearing in both ears. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than a Level I impairment of auditory acuity in the right ear and a Level III impairment of auditory acuity in the left ear, at worst. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to his in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and medical records, as well as to seek an addendum opinion regarding his eye disorders. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's income exceeds the maximum annual pension rate, thus he is not eligible for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his hearing impairment did not meet VA compensation criteria and his psychiatric condition was not related to service. The Veteran is currently service-connected for tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent effective February 24, 2012. The Board found that the evidence showed a worsening of his hearing acuity from Level IX to Level XII in both ears.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and peripheral neuropathy, are pending. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for high cholesterol is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether there is a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the right hand disability and denied service connection. The Veteran's hearing loss was not shown to be aggravated by a pre-existing condition, leading to denial as well.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, but does not find these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all of the issues on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 50 percent effective January 2, 2013. The appeal is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no probative evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 80 percent prior to August 1, 2012, and at 90 percent as of that date. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent. Both ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his request for a Video Conference Hearing before the Board. The hearing has not been scheduled yet.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in April 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an amputation at the DIP joint of the right index finger was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5153, which pertains to amputations of the single index finger.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable from November 8, 2010, to August 7, 2014, and at a 10 percent evaluation since August 8, 2014. The Board finds that the current evaluations are adequate based on the medical evidence.