Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his current employment as a letter carrier does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to marginal employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has increased in severity since the last VA examination, and he is being asked to provide updated treatment records. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected condition, and the appellant did not have any pending claims at the time of his death. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is denied, as are the claims for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 30 percent rating, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment during the period from July 29, 2016, to April 12, 2018.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by no worse than Level I hearing in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no in-service noise exposure and no current disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Veteran's hearing acuity has been measured at Level I in both ears throughout the appeal period, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for service connection of the right ankle disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a grant of an initial evaluation of 70 percent, subject to the regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement (NOD) regarding the January 2016 rating decision was timely filed due to VA not following its regular mailing practices and sending the notification letter to the incorrect representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, including acoustic trauma from machine guns, cannon fire, and a land mine explosion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the VA examiner found that his hearing loss is less likely related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 18, 2008.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding service connection for tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection for right-ear hearing loss should be remanded due to inconsistencies in the November 2016 VA examination findings and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.