Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in active service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The hearing loss claim requires additional development as the June 2013 VA examination is deemed inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No claims have been decided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, while his claim for an increased rating for pes planus with a grant of extraschedular consideration remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for left ear hearing loss before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric test results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

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

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss, as his audiometric results only reached Level VIII at worst. For TDIU, the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, including any injury therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10 percent effective June 19, 2017. Prior to that date, the rating remained noncompensable.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2010 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded and a VA examiner found that his left ear hearing loss is related to service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his hypertension is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The appeal was denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury resulting in these conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA audiological evaluation and a need for another examination. The Veteran's first language is Russian, which may have affected previous evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service, including any noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been evaluated as non-compensable throughout the appeal period based on audiometric testing results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 40 percent prior to January 20, 2017 and at 50 percent on or after that date. The appeal is denied as the rating assigned does not exceed what is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40% prior to April 19, 2013 and increased to 60% from December 15, 2016.