Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met both the schedular criteria for a TDIU and precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 31, 2011 to March 20, 2014.

The Veteran's onychomycosis and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection, with the onychomycosis being granted as direct service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a 20% evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss since October 3, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection cannot be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an otologist's opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ should also notify the Veteran about the unavailability of his requested records from the Saginaw and Detroit VAMCs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and otitis media preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination of the Veteran's claims, including right ear hearing loss, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, lung disability, and eye disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during service or within a year of separation, and is unrelated to in-service noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent from August 13, 2013. The Board denied his claim for a higher rating and TDIU due to the severity of his service-connected conditions not meeting the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 26, 2017 was denied. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss as of July 26, 2017 was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent effective August 4, 2017. Prior to this date, the disability rating remained at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and glaucoma, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to be personally examined. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including back injury, right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of a left ear hearing loss disability or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable due to the severity of his condition not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for evaluating hearing loss.