Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for hallux rigidus with degenerative joint disease of the left great toe, effective from July 29, 2002. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and residuals of frozen feet, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.,Both conditions were initially denied on the basis that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim. The Board's decision reopened these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking his current hearing problems to his military service.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings of 10% for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis, but denied the claim for an initial rating for bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board finds that the veteran's Meniere's disease causes dizziness and loss of balance more than four times per month, with hearing loss and tinnitus. Therefore, a 100 percent disability rating is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a compensatory rating for bladder cancer prior to April 13, 2004 and after June 1, 2005. The RO/AMC should readjudicate these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, skin cancer, pain and numbness of the right knee and great toe, pain and numbness of the left leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim was decided on the merits without any presumption based on Agent Orange exposure or other specific service connection theories.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or hemorrhoids, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Regarding the claim to reopen the issue of service connection for atrial septal defect, new and material evidence was submitted but the condition is deemed non-service connectible as it is congenital in nature.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have developed as a result of in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 15, 1996, for a TDIU rating due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The decision found that it was not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable during the year preceding the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and dermatologic immune disorder are at least as likely as not related to spinal meningitis in service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 27, 1989. The combined service-connected disability rating was less than 100% during this period and did not meet the minimum percentage criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and found that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service ear infections and acoustic trauma. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, digestive disorder, and hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating based on his audiometric test results.

The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be attributable to his period of service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.