Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss and an initial increased rating for right cartilage loss and degenerative joint disease status post total knee replacement as these issues are final based on the January 2013 decision. The AOJ should issue a Statement of the Case regarding the latter issue.

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

The Veteran's hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable prior to July 6, 2017, and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not suggest significant worsening of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected Ischemic Heart Disease and Bilateral Hearing Loss render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The VA audiological examinations did not show any significant hearing loss within one year post-service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were not related to his active service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the conditions found to be directly related to his military service. His ankle and foot disabilities are also considered service-connected.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied the claim for an initial evaluation for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as 0 percent disabling since March 1, 1976. The most recent VA examination in June 2016 showed level II hearing in the right ear and level III hearing in the left ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from September 22, 2011 to February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer residuals were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to May 19, 2010, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter. For skin cancer residuals, no clear photographs were provided, and the issue was deferred due to its interdependence with the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's respiratory disorder, including bronchitis, is remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for this disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes. However, the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service have been found credible.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and there was no evidence of left ear hearing loss in service. The VA examiner concluded that the current bilateral hearing loss is not related to military service.