Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The case is REMANDED for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating from 80% to 30% for bilateral hearing loss was proper, effective May 1, 2015. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has improved over time and is now rated at 30%. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure, continuous symptoms since service separation, or a relationship between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as they were received more than one year after his separation from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not linked to disease or injury incurred in active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's hearing impairment is no worse than Level XI in the right ear and Level III in the left ear, resulting in a 20 percent rating. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

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and; an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity muscle atrophy and sciatica has been withdrawn due to the award of TDIU effective from November 1, 2009.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.