Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 4, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the necessary examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetic nephropathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and job skills. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy due to cold injury in service, which is considered as part of the same claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in service and has been continuous since then. The lung disability (claimed as Asbestosis, COPD, and Lung Cancer) is considered a direct service connection case based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus must be remanded due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining missing audiometric test results and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the extent of his disability is reasonably contemplated by the VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, visual disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established. The issue regarding an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent since January 27, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of service separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.