Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The effective date of service connection for left ear hearing loss is also under review.

The veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for hearing loss or 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran did not have these conditions prior to service entrance and that they are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities as defined by VA regulations.

The VA has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but assigned a zero percent rating, which is the lowest possible rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right ear sensorineural hearing loss, and the claim for corneal scars was also denied. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination to evaluate the veteran's hearing loss disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is established. The veteran's current hearing loss is found to be as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a comprehensive audiological examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reopening his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and also denied a higher rating for his hypogonadism.

The veteran's hearing loss is rated at 20 percent effective March 25, 2000 and remains at that level.

The Board has remanded the case due to an unclear VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered after a new examination and opinion are obtained.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss disability does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment despite his condition until his voluntary retirement at the age of 70. The Board denies the claim for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a separate compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, which is a residual of his service-connected cerebrospinal meningitis. The VA audiometric evaluations showed that the veteran had level II hearing acuity in the right ear and level IV in the left ear, warranting a noncompensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied the veteran's claim of service connection.

The veteran's lumbar canal stenosis, status-post decompressive laminectomies and bilateral foraminotomies at the L4-5 is rated at 40 percent effective March 10, 2006. His bilateral hearing loss has a zero percent rating since his claims were filed in 1998. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent effective June 9, 2006.

The Board found that the reduction of a rating evaluation for bilateral high frequency sensori-neural hearing loss from 40 percent to 10 percent was proper and the 10 percent disability rating remains effective from July 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) with angina that is service-connected. The evidence did not support his claims and he was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The undifferentiated somatization disorder manifested by sleep disturbance and memory loss was also not shown to be related to service.