Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was less likely due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to cervical spine disorder, headaches, left lower extremity sciatica, ulnar nerve disorder, right ear hearing loss; increased ratings for depression, left varicocele, right lower extremity muscle atrophy and sciatica, low back pain syndrome with grade 1, L5-S1 spondylolisthesis, and; an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity muscle atrophy and sciatica has been withdrawn due to the award of TDIU effective from November 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during any of the periods in question.

The Veteran's hearing loss was found to be at level I in both ears, resulting in a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent effective from August 17, 2017. Prior to this date, the disability was not found to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has vacated the January 4, 2018 decision and dismissed all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were of such severity prior to December 16, 2011 so as to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his subjective factors do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to lack of pending claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure and hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The claim is based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while the knee conditions have not been linked to service. The claims for left knee condition and right knee condition are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during active military service and is granted. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service, as his in-service noise exposure likely contributed to his current condition. As such, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or TDIU prior to May 27, 2009.

The Veteran's hearing impairment was evaluated and found to warrant a rating of 0 percent prior to January 23, 2012; 10 percent from January 23, 2012 to October 18, 2017; and 20 percent since October 19, 2017.

The Veteran's combined rating was determined to be 90 percent, effective November 14, 2011. The Board found that the current ratings were accurate and an increased rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, chronic ear infection, allergic rhinitis, and tinnitus is dismissed as these conditions are already in effect due to a September 2017 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss do not render him unemployable, as his disabilities are rated at the minimum levels and do not significantly impact his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.