Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran appealed the effective date for service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss, which was originally dated February 10, 1999. The Board found that an effective date of August 2, 1991, should be assigned as this is when the veteran's claim to reopen his original denial was received.,The veteran also appealed the effective date for service connection granted for tinnitus, which was originally dated February 15, 2000. The Board found that an earlier effective date prior to August 2, 1991, could not be assigned as there were no documents prior to this date indicating a claim for tinnitus.

The veteran is entitled to additional compensation for his spouse, S.J.H., due to the presence of at least one service-connected disability rated at 30% or more.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, or trench mouth that is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and found that the veteran's PTSD was aggravated by his hypertension. The effective date for a 50 percent rating for PTSD prior to October 13, 2004 is also denied.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from November 15, 2001 and 40 percent from March 14, 2006.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The GERD with hiatal hernia claim was granted based on secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities and thus, is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current low back disorder is related to an injury he experienced while on active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and otitis media of the right ear are currently rated at 50 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's otosclerosis with hearing loss, vertigo, and dizziness was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a depressive disorder, panic attacks, and an anxiety disorder, also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back condition is service-connected, and hearing loss and tinnitus are also service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for head injury residuals, right kidney disability, heart disability, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss due to a lack of competent medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during combat. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria. The appeal regarding service connection for generalized arthritis of multiple joints was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently does not have Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. However, the Board finds that his recurring episodes of dizziness are at least as likely as not related to his military service and grants service connection for vertigo.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, and determined that the earliest effective date for a combined 100% rating is June 11, 2002.

The Board has determined that R. A. D., the step-daughter of a veteran who served during World War II, is not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental defect at the age of 18 and therefore does not meet the requirements for VA benefits as a helpless child.