Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he can perform the physical and mental requirements of employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss prior to December 11, 2010 was denied. Beginning on and after December 11, 2010, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board, as his service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability. Service connection was denied for ingrown toenails.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's low back disability as it is considered to be directly related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence now shows that the Veteran experienced in-service noise exposure, which is presumed to have caused his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is the result of acoustic trauma in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD has been denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to November 27, 2013, and 10 percent since that date. His PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling effective February 26, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to December 1, 2015 for a 40% evaluation and for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss as of June 5, 2013. The effective date assigned was December 1, 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it meets the criteria for direct service connection due to a continuity of symptoms since discharge from service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (0 percent disabling) since March 5, 2003. The Board finds that the evidence does not warrant an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment, and thus a compensable rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a current disability for service connection, and the Veteran is required to provide additional medical records or undergo an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by an event, injury, or disease in active service, and did not manifest within one year of separation from active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in April 2008. The Board finds that an effective date prior to June 18, 2014 is not warranted as the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim until this date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 30 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of heart disorder, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma with obstructive lung disease), visual impairment, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.