Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent and etiology of the veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to his active duty service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing hearing loss disability of the right ear did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing acuity did not warrant a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss during the appeal period.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right ear and bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating prior to November 12, 2003. The RO subsequently granted service connection for left ear hearing loss effective from November 12, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disability of the feet (claimed as jungle rot), a bilateral shoulder disorder, a neck disorder, and a back disorder have all been denied. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing disability to his military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his plantar fasciitis is denied. The issue of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on housebound status remains pending.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected.,His sinusitis has been rated as 30 percent disabling, and the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link between his current hearing loss and his service. The Board also found that the presumption of soundness cannot be rebutted due to lack of preexisting hearing problem prior to service.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability have been rated as noncompensable since September 29, 2003. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability due to lack of jurisdiction as the veteran has died.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral otitis media, right ear hearing loss disability, and tension headaches due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to service, including any noise exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 16, 2003 for a 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his hearing acuity levels do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VAMC records from May 2002.

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss to noncompensable was proper due to improvement in his hearing acuity, and a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to military service.