Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and conduct a VA examination for his back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50% since June 20, 2013. There remains no question of law or fact to decide regarding the effective date claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, while his left knee disability has been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left ankle sprain were denied in 1979. He did not file new claims until June 2015, at which point he was granted service connection with effective dates of June 10, 2015.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not show a chronic disease during service, and there is no continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he is not shown to be bedridden, permanently housebound, in a nursing home, or helpless due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as the Board finds that his condition significantly impairs his employability in most occupational environments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, nor can it be presumed as chronic under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability of the right ear for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his disability does not more closely approximate a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The evidence does not show a marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher rating. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating was found to be less than 60% and he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his education and work experience.

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 current hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to these disabilities. The Board has remanded the case to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 10, 2011.

The Veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's hearing loss disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as she does not have a current disability that meets the VA criteria for hearing loss. The claims for service connection for vertigo, shoulder disability, and back disability are remanded for additional development.