Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the maximum schedular evaluations are already assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and its incurrence or aggravation during active duty may not be presumed. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a digestive disorder, a skin disorder, a back disability, and a knee disability were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for coronary artery disease. The VA determined that there was no evidence of a causal connection between the veteran's current disabilities and his active service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this case.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the combined evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, indicating satisfaction with the compensable rating assigned for his hearing loss.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a noncompensable evaluation is warranted for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to acoustic trauma in service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims of service connection for hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, gout, and arthritis affecting both thumbs.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear comments from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between the veteran's hearing loss and military service. The claim will be reviewed again with clarification.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily PTSD and hearing loss, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, requiring supervision for bathing and attending to the wants of nature, and needing care on a regular basis to protect him from hazards. The decision grants special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

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

The veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss from March 24, 2003 to October 2, 2006 is upheld as his auditory acuity did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for hearing loss of the right ear, finding that it meets the criteria for exceptional hearing loss and assigning a combined rating based on both ears.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss and any tinnitus present, as well as whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the veteran's claims for service connection.