Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current hearing disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity mononeuropathy, left upper extremity superficial radial sensory neuropathy, tinnitus, hearing loss, a facial scar, and eczema, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his work and educational background since March 29, 2005. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU effective from that date.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is likely the result of his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence showing he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, right ear hearing loss, and loss of the right ear.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic sinus disorder, or COPD during service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for respiratory and psychiatric conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed hypertension.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for schizophrenia, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, or osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 16, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is the result of an injury during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a service-connected disability in all cases.

The Veteran's hearing impairment has been evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period, with no evidence of exceptional patterns warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities as pertains to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected disease or injury, is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance has been granted. The hearing loss claim remains pending.