Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU beginning on December 6, 2006 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU beginning on and after November 30, 2015 is moot as it would be a duplication of the existing disability picture.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's pre-existing left ear hearing loss was presumed to have been aggravated by service, and the Board finds that the presumption of aggravation has not been rebutted. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the denial of his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his subsequent claim for an increased rating since July 2, 2016, was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinea pedis do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain.,Right ear hearing loss is not shown to meet VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his duties as an aircraft mechanic. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has been rated at 40 percent since February 20, 2013. The VA reduced this rating to 20 percent effective April 1, 2016, based on a subsequent examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining signed informed consent forms and VA treatment records. The case will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his audiometric evaluations did not demonstrate more profound hearing loss than Level II in the left ear and Level III in the right ear.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's profound bilateral hearing loss, along with other factors such as his age and poor vision, renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to the inability to hear directions and take advice directly. The Board has determined that he is also housebound due to the same hearing loss making it unsafe for him to navigate his home environment without assistance.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The RO should also consider whether he is eligible for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service hazardous noise exposure while working as a Fireman (Engine/Mechanical Apprentice) on a U.S. Navy ship, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of in-service records and the need for a VA examination.