Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a higher disability rating, as both conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were evaluated by the Board. The increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable due to lack of evidence from a state-licensed audiologist. His initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an increased rating for his left shoulder disorder. The decision also found that the April and December 1975 rating decisions were not the result of clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2003. The RO has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claim of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, including an addendum to the June 2005 VA examination and consideration of extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the spine, require daily personal health care services due to his limited mobility and high risk for falls. The Board finds that these needs are primarily attributable to his service-connected conditions and grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a heart condition, head injury residuals, mouth and gums shrapnel wound residuals, peripheral vascular disease due to cold weather exposure, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to disease or injury that was incurred in service.,Pneumonia during service did not result in any residuals, and the current cardiomyopathy is not shown to be related to pneumonia or other event of his period of active service.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board. The most recent VA audiological examination showed Level IX hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss of the left ear, venous insufficiency of the left leg, stomach disability (irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-esophageal reflux disease), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a nervous condition (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and a sleeping disorder).,The VA found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that none of the veteran's service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus need further examination and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in November 2000. The veteran's representative provided additional evidence since the last final denial, including a March 2002 private audiometric evaluation report, an August 2003 QTC audiometric examination report, and a January 2003 statement by Dr. P.D., which indicates that the current hearing loss may be related to service exposure.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, right knee arthritis, and arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied. The VA found that his right ear hearing acuity was designated as Level I hearing loss, while his left ear hearing loss was also designated as Level I. For his right knee arthritis, he did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or x-ray findings. His arthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation either.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher initial rating, as it is currently rated at zero percent (non-compensable).

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or a link between current tinnitus and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a link between his current conditions and his time in service.