Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appellate period.

The veteran is seeking a TDIU due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Board has ordered the case remanded for further evaluation of whether his disability renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate medical examination, particularly regarding the relationship between current disabilities and military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his anxiety disorder and tinnitus significantly affect his ability to work in a structured environment. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity levels are both level I in each ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ear hearing loss and degenerative joint disease, carpometacarpal joint, right thumb were denied as there is no evidence of a compensable rating or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating at any point during the appeal period.

The veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the lack of current evidence meeting VA compensation criteria. The claims for increased evaluations for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are also remanded.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and a disability manifested by vertigo and nausea were not incurred in or related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between in-service noise exposure and these conditions. The veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or findings related to hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and post-service medical records indicate that the disabilities did not manifest until decades after service.

The veteran's hearing loss is found to be related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of diabetes mellitus and a separate compensable rating for diabetic retinopathy is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Joseph's Medical Center from May 2, 2004, through May 4, 2004 is denied as there was no indication of a medical emergency that would have necessitated immediate treatment.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 27, 2007 was denied. On or after February 27, 2007, the claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The RO found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met before October 31, 1995; prior to January 10, 2003; and since January 10, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss.