Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The issue of an extraschedular rating and TDIU due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hepatitis residuals and bilateral hearing loss have not met the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for hearing loss were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss effective September 3, 2014. Prior to this date, the left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. From September 3, 2014 forward, the bilateral hearing loss also did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent prior to February 11, 2017. The Board found that the evidence supported a noncompensable rating for this period.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is granted as service connected, with the Board finding it was incurred due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and for an earlier effective date for service connection for a chronic right knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was manifested by at worst Level II hearing in the right ear and Level III hearing in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found no basis to grant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was also granted for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, with the Board indicating that the evidence supports a link between the Veteran's pre-existing condition and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disability, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of records, including Department of Defense and Department of Labor employment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU before March 15, 2009 and denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, it is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service noise exposure or any other basis for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the August 2013 VA examiner and attempting to obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder or hearing loss that is service-connected, and therefore denied his claims for these benefits. The TDIU claim was granted based on the September 10, 2009 date of claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, thyroid cyst, sleep apnea, and arthritis. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board has now referred the case back to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a compensable rating for his service-connected hearing loss, and that his nonservice-connected pension benefits were properly terminated due to his income exceeding the maximum annual pension rate.