Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The left ear hearing loss disability was not found to warrant a compensable rating, while the head injury with chronic headaches claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to TBI was also denied.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe the severity and symptomatology of the Veteran's disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the sufficiency of audiometric testing results and the need for a new VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss, rated as 10 percent effective April 21, 2015, was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification on whether speech recognition testing under the Maryland CNC test was conducted during a June 2013 VA audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and the competent, probative evidence does not relate it to active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and skin cancer. The decision on left ear hearing loss is due to a lack of evidence showing a present disability during or within one year after service, while the skin cancer issue remains pending.

The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a circulatory disorder of the lower extremities and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Veteran also has not met the criteria for an increased rating for his left knee disability or entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected conditions during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has a combined rating of 80% due to his service-connected disabilities, which meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis, but denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since April 21, 2015, and the Board finds this rating is appropriate based on his audiometric test results.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral foot disability or bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.