Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The appeal for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is dismissed because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2017. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a hearing request and failure to report.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the addition of an audiological VA examination since the October 2013 Statement of the Case.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, as well as the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's disability ratings remain at 0 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The right wrist and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded due to the failure to schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 29, 2015 are denied. For the period beginning January 29, 2015, his rating is also denied as it does not meet the criteria for a greater than 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it began during service and is related to his military duties.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for hearing loss for accrued benefits purposes is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied as not meeting the criteria for a disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being referred to VA’s Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence does not show a chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms since service, nor did they become manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not show that it was caused by military noise exposure, and there is no evidence of a diagnosis within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, including missing service records and inconsistencies in audiometric test results. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a bilateral knee disability, hypertension, insomnia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete service records and requests for additional verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty in the Marine Corps Reserves.