Hearing loss decisions — 2018

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 100 percent effective May 18, 2017.,Service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted based on evidence showing the onset of symptoms during service and a link to noise exposure.,A 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted as of May 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically regarding the VA audiologist's opinion on whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to service. The examiner needs to consider all relevant evidence and provide a complete rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss had an onset within a year of service and is considered a disability for VA purposes. The Board finds that the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology are credible, and thus grants service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating of 10% prior to January 28, 2010.

The Veteran is entitled to a permanent and total service-connected disability rating based on individual unemployability since August 26, 2008. Effective January 13, 2011, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful motion in the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and long fingers associated with his service-connected right hand scars. The remaining issues have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, Meniere's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period on appeal, so he is not entitled to an effective date earlier than May 11, 2015 for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to a change in the status of his hearing since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination and an opinion on whether his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to active service and/or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral arm disability, and bilateral hand disability have all been denied. The Veteran has not established a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's GERD and service, including exposure to environmental hazards. Service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses related to GERD.,Service treatment records do not show asthma during service. The Veteran was diagnosed with mild asthma in November 1998 after separation from service. There is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current asthma and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no in-service occurrence or link between the conditions and service. The evidence does not establish a current disability within one year of separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, and denied his claims for service connection for a back condition, cervical condition, PTSD, and major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back condition, a cervical condition, PTSD, and major depressive disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder are pending.

The Board has found the evidence to be in equipoise, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.,Service connection for the left leg disorders was granted, but effective dates prior to July 31, 2015 are not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his current bilateral hearing loss and right eye disability are not related to active service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.