Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board found that the appellant's current severe bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his period of active military service, including his ACDUTRA in 1963.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. The initial rating for his left knee injury from March 25, 1997, to March 24, 2002, remains denied.,For the period of time from March 25, 1997, to March 24, 2002, the veteran's claim for an increased rating was not granted. The initial rating for his left knee injury and arthritis was granted at 30 percent effective April 11, 2002.,The veteran's claims for higher ratings on both his left knee injuries and right fingers were denied.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss, and PTSD are denied as the evidence does not support a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus or a compensable rating for hearing loss. The criteria for a 70 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 12, 2004, and an effective date earlier than June 12, 2004, are met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted at a 10% rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin rash in service and denied the claim. For other conditions, additional development is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Board denied all claims for service connection and initial ratings, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his left elbow scars, reopening of PTSD and hearing loss with tinnitus service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a disability manifested by atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. The claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or earlier effective dates in any of the issues addressed.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and challenges the April 6, 1973, rating decision that assigned a non-compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The case must be remanded to address both issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's hearing acuity is currently no worse than Level II in both ears, warranting a noncompensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for scarred eardrums, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus have been denied as there is no legal basis to assign higher disability ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, and shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination and opinion, is needed to determine the etiology of his hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities result in him being substantially confined to his dwelling or immediate premises and he requires the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board has determined that there is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the veteran's service connected disabilities render him so disabled as to require the aid and attendance of another person, thus granting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate notice provided by the RO.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing loss began during service and worsened as a civilian.

The veteran's request for a videohearing before the Board has been rescheduled due to his illness. The case is being remanded for this purpose.