Hearing loss decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability needs to be re-evaluated due to the potential worsening of his condition and there are outstanding medical records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and the Board dismissed the issue.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for clarification of a private audiology report and further examination.

The Veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a more current examination is needed to rate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities due to the passage of time and changes in his condition since the last examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as an adequate opinion is required.

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

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability rating from 10% to 0% is proper based on improvement in his hearing acuity as evidenced by the October 2018 VA examination results.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of September 19, 2017 for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since May 28, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss prevented him from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a duty to assist error regarding the etiology of any current hearing loss, which may be related to service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The claims for service connection for pes planus, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus resulted from combat exposure. The Board granted a TDIU effective June 25, 2018, as the combined rating of these conditions meets the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are proximately due to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at a 10 percent rating since March 7, 2019. Prior to that date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines headaches (dizziness/vertigo and off balance), rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's hearing acuity is no worse than Level XI in his left ear and Level V in his right ear, resulting in a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that new evidence submitted by the Veteran after a previous final denial warrants readjudication of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss.