Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 50 percent prior to October 5, 2017 and 60 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.,The Veteran is also service connected for dizziness (vertigo) which has been rated as 30 percent disabling. His TDIU claim was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive VA disability compensation benefits prior to August 2006 was denied due to failure to complete a required VA examination and the discontinuation of payments following his return from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as they are found to be related to his service. The claim for periodontal disease has been denied due to it not being a compensable disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent prior to June 6, 2017 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. For TDIU, the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if audiograms used the Maryland CNC test, which could affect the determination of whether a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was warranted prior to March 23, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to noise exposure during his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple other conditions, have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The AOJ has determined that she is entitled to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no other basis for connection provided. The claims have been granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether they were caused by noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise related to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 6, 2015 for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus remains denied.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for tinnitus was received on April 30, 2013 and granted with an effective date of that same day.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma during active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The appellant's status as a Veteran and his claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability.