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
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
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