Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not show it was more disabling than as noted above.

The Veteran's lung disease was not service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss was. The effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or substantially confined to his house due to service-connected disabilities, thus denying the claim for special monthly compensation.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection was also denied for PTSD prior to August 1, 2013, as well as an increased disability evaluation for PTSD effective from August 1, 2013.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disease present during service. The Board concluded that while the Veteran had current right ear hearing loss, it did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was found to be manifested by no more than Level VIII hearing acuity in the right ear and no more than Level I hearing acuity in the left ear before December 28, 2012. After that date, his hearing acuity was found to be no more than Level IX in the right ear and Level II in the left ear. The Board denied an initial compensable rating prior to December 28, 2012, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has denied claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and left hip disability. The claim for service connection for left knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 19, 2013. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, multiple myeloma, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a chronic skin disorder. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent as of June 10, 2011. This prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.,As of June 10, 2011, the Veteran was found to meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's hearing loss may be related to service, in light of his in-service duties and history.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since February 5, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in this evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 28, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating at any point.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was found to be at level I and II in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable disability rating. The Board determined that the evidence did not warrant an increase in the disability rating.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of worsening or additional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection for a jaw disability established. The rating for bilateral hearing loss was increased to 70 percent effective May 17, 2013.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.