Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The veteran's death was due to end stage liver disease, and he had service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The VA denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as no additional compensation benefits were due at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) should be July 14, 1998, as this corresponds to when the veteran became unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle with special adaptive equipment are not met.

The VA determined that the veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as her hearing loss was found to be secondary to infections prior to service and not related to active military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his most recent audiometric testing shows levels consistent with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant's ear condition existed prior to his service and did not increase in severity during his period of active duty for training, thus denying service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis, a left knee disorder, swollen joints, bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder will be adjudicated de novo.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cataract, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria and pulmonary tuberculosis. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, but denied them on the merits as there is no evidence that the current hearing loss was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left rib cage injury with thoracic spine arthritis was also denied.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected due to aggravation during service. The veteran does not have a diagnosed shortness of breath, skin disorders, or memory loss related to service. Service connection for left shoulder and arm pain and multiple joint pain is granted on the basis of direct evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during his active service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 10, 1999 and is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal was denied as there were no new or material evidence submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss and panic disorder are granted, with a rating of 30 percent for panic disorder. The hearing loss is not considered chronic during service or within one year post-service, but the current left ear hearing loss disability is found to be related to service. The veteran's panic disorder results in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the November 1971 rating decision. The claim for dental disorders is denied as the veteran does not meet eligibility criteria for VA compensation or treatment.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for hearing loss, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.