Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is caused by in-service noise exposure and therefore service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus disability is service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that these disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating at any point during his appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes, with the onset of both conditions occurring during his active duty.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss have not resulted in any incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment, warranting a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities during the period of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder disability, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease L5-S1, urinary frequency, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is capable of full-time employment.

The Veteran's only service-connected disability is bilateral hearing loss, rated at 0 percent. The Board finds that this does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and concludes that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, renal failure with diabetic nephropathy, and bilateral hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that there is no probative evidence linking a current low back disability to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and tinnitus, resulted in functional impairment sufficient to preclude gainful employment from July 29, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU at this time.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to a TDIU prior to October 23, 2013. As such, the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, at its worst, results in level VII hearing acuity in the right ear and level I hearing acuity in the left ear. The criteria for a compensable disability rating have not been met or approximated.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including providing a VA psychiatric examination and issuing an SOC regarding educational assistance benefits. The appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions are not currently in appellate status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is not service connected due to it being less likely than not related to his period of service. The right hip and bilateral foot conditions are also not service connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants service connection for this condition.