Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for a back condition and hearing loss, thus denying the reopening of these claims.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, and DDD of the spine are not related to his service or any incident therein. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current disability level did not warrant such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 7, 2003 for grants of service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no claim submitted prior to that date.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not occur in service or are not attributable to his periods of active duty service, thus denying service connection for both conditions.

The veteran currently exhibits no more than Level II hearing in his right and left ears, which is commensurate with the noncompensable evaluation currently in effect.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues of skin rash disorder, sleeping problems, and left joint and shoulder pain are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and malaria were denied as there was no evidence of a claim prior to the effective dates granted.,For bilateral hearing loss, the veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date than January 15, 1975. The rating assigned since that date has been determined based on VA's current criteria for evaluating hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities were not supported by the evidence, as there was no indication of moderate incomplete paralysis or other severe symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability prior to April 5, 2000 is denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw her appeal regarding the issues of sinusitis, allergies, hearing loss, otitis media, and tendonitis of the bilateral feet and ankles. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for shin splints, and the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and left ear hearing loss disability have been denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, or joint pain related to his military service. The Board finds no evidence supporting these claims.