Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 0 percent or a higher rating, respectively. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes at the time of the examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, skin disability, and hypertension, have been denied. The appeals are based on direct evidence or lack thereof.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and etiology opinion are required to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his active service, including noise exposure. The case is therefore being remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to September 16, 2014 was denied. From September 16, 2014 onwards, the Veteran is rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss results in no worse than Level III hearing acuity, which does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability and an evaluation of his TDIU claim. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the impact on both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is as likely as not incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including referral to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Services or Undersecretary for Benefits regarding entitlement to an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of TDIU is also being considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with these reopened claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent prior to December 11, 2015. Effective from December 11, 2015, the rating for his bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The claim for service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable before December 28, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right hip bursitis, left hip tendonitis, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and residuals of a chipped right elbow, combine for a rating of 50 percent or more. The combined rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD, which has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.