Hearing loss decisions — 2007

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

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining VA medical treatment records from his surgeries and ensuring a statement of the case is issued.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in her right ear and an initial compensable evaluation for hearing loss in her left ear, finding that there was no increase in severity of pre-existing hearing loss during service and that current hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and varicose veins are denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure being a contributing factor in both cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors or combat experience related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and thus grants secondary service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability and an effective date earlier than February 28, 2003, for his tinnitus. The evidence does not support these claims as of the one-year period prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The veteran's disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and left shoulder arthritis, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension at the housebound rate.

The veteran is appealing the denial of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO previously denied this claim in June 1992, stating that the condition existed prior to entry onto active service and no aggravation was shown as a result of his active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied. The RO found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and his period of active service. His PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has confirmed and continued the initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability, as it is not shown to warrant a higher evaluation. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending due to incomplete records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim, and concluded that there was no indication of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss on the left was incurred during active service, but his hearing loss on the right did not worsen as a result of service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA compensation purposes and was incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating remains May 13, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new audiologic examination.