Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or within one year of separation, and the VA examiner found it less likely than not caused by military noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his bilateral hearing loss condition, as evidence indicates it has worsened. The claim for individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded in conjunction with this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple myeloma is granted due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims for right ear hearing loss and left ankle disabilities are denied, while the claims for left ear hearing loss and right ankle disabilities are pending further review.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 0 percent since August 18, 2010. The Board finds that the current evidence does not support a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed bilateral hearing loss was not caused by or related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is not entitled to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to missing documents and the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent since August 25, 2011. His hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss meeting VA disability criteria, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant any higher evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his military service and/or his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The VA and private audiometric evaluations are consistent, with the March 2017 VA examination indicating that the Veteran has Level I hearing in both ears.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective September 1, 2016. The Veteran previously had non-compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to missing records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his incontinence from prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that entitlement to a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, so the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.