Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU, finding that entitlement was not shown based on available record any sooner than April 24, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vertigo and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected, and therefore denied both claims. The veteran's current level of bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensatory disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of a brain aneurysm are not related to his periods of active duty for training, and thus service connection is denied.

Service connection was denied for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot calluses and bone spurs, and residuals of a broken left arm as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident therein.

The veteran's asbestosis is rated at 60 percent disabling from May 3, 2006. The Board found that the veteran's subjective complaints of shortness of breath and progressive dyspnea warranted a 30 percent rating prior to May 3, 2006, and a 60 percent rating thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder, pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a current skin rash or peripheral neuropathy related to herbicide exposure. The veteran's pre-existing hearing impairment was considered to be aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis were not incurred or aggravated in active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injuries to his ears, eyes, and back. The evidence did not show any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for sensorineural hearing loss, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left pre-Achilles and retrocalcaneal bursitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to military sexual trauma. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current hearing loss and active service. The claim for PTSD was also denied, with the RO finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA found that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and his tinnitus is rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are likely attributable to his active military service, including exposure to noise during combat operations in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The veteran's hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability, tinnitus could not be matched during an examination, and his low back strain did not result in functional loss warranting a compensable evaluation under the revised spine rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 10% evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for bilateral hand disability (claimed as peripheral neuropathy), and service connection for bilateral knee disability. The reduction in his hearing loss rating was upheld.