Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has vacated its previous decision and is now remanding the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board determined that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss from 70% to 40%, effective February 1, 2010 was proper.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as it relates to service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not manifest in service and is unrelated to service. Sensorineural hearing loss as an organic disease of the nervous system is not shown to have been manifested to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that his hearing did not meet VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's service records showed no complaints or diagnoses related to hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to the use of Oxaliplatin for his service-connected rectal cancer, and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level II hearing in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable rating under the VA Rating Schedule. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

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.