The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an initial compensable rating prior to August 7, 2011, or in excess of 60 percent disabling thereafter for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, a separate issue was raised but no specific rating is provided as it does not affect service connection directly. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied due to the presence of other disabilities and his own subjective statements regarding unemployability.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an initial compensable rating prior to August 7, 2011, or in excess of 60 percent disabling thereafter for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as his testimony indicated he was unemployable due to the noise and danger associated with longshoreman work.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144907
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18144907.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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