Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right tibia/fibula fractures is denied.,The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded to the RO for further action.,The veteran's TDIU claim remains pending and will also be remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and hearing loss in the right ear. However, no new rating was assigned as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his loss of vision in left eye is not due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The reimbursement claim for travel expenses was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The current rating decision denied an increased (compensable) rating for right ear hearing loss, which was previously rated as status post tympanoplasty.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a causal link to any incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disability, residuals of a right forearm and upper arm injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The denial was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or additional service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for additional VA audiological testing and review of private records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Board found no basis for a higher rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and service connection for a bladder condition. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's bladder condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was denied prior to September 10, 2004. However, from that date forward, he is now entitled to an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss or lung disorder to service. The veteran's bilateral pes planus existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sexual dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was reopened but still denied on the merits. The claim for service connection for sexual dysfunction was also denied. The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 14, 2000 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU at that time.