Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his current appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with depression and anxiety, as well as right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's initial rating claim for left/bilateral hearing loss will be adjudicated after the grant of service connection for his right ear.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, citing that he is already receiving compensation and does not want to move forward with the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no worse than level III hearing acuity in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against entitlement to an initial compensable rating for this disability.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied due to his non-service-connected disabilities precluding a finding of good health. The claim for waiver of premiums for SDVI (RH) is dismissed as the eligibility issue has been decided.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus do not appear to have onset during service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board finds the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence weighs against finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. Prior to January 20, 2017, the Veteran was not entitled to a compensable rating. From January 20, 2017, he is not entitled to a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by no worse than Level I hearing impairment in each ear, and the criteria for a rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss have not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, including a need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board found that service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus is not warranted as the evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for finding an August 2011 VA examiner's report more probative than a March 2013 correspondence from Dr. R.V.A.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his combined rating of 80% due to service-connected disabilities meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. Additional development is needed to assess the functional impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as all reasonable doubt has been resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 3, 2010 for his award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that the claim was not filed within one year before the effective date and did not meet the schedular numeric criteria for an award of TDIU until December 3, 2010.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available for this condition. The Board finds that there is no evidence to support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is determined to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran likely has tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service, and grants service connection for this condition. For the hearing loss issue, the case is remanded for additional development.