Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss, service connection for arthritis of bilateral lower extremities, and service connection for basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer). The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claim for glaucoma is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision. The veteran's entitlement to TDIU will be deferred until resolution of the new and material evidence claim for glaucoma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current hearing acuity is within the range for a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing loss disability and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his being substantially confined to his dwelling or immediate premises and such resultant confinement is likely to continue throughout his lifetime, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board denied reopening the claim for left ear hearing loss and denied an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and service, including noise exposure. The case will be returned for further review.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his average pure tone thresholds do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically peripheral neuropathy in both upper and lower extremities. However, he is not substantially confined to his dwelling or immediate premises by reason of these conditions.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his active duty service and he was granted service connection for this condition. The issue of depression has been remanded due to the need for clarification regarding its diagnosis.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not permanently worsen during service, and thus denied service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently documented significant bilateral sensorineural hearing disability is likely due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his periods of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of meningitis are being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity was within the noncompensable range.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health' due to his non-service-connected conditions, including osteoarthritis and hypertension.