Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain SSA records and VA treatment records from the Lowell VAMC. The claims for service connection will be readjudicated based on whether new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar heel syndrome are not service-connected. The right femur fracture is service-connected but does not warrant an increased rating.

The VA granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent rating effective November 27, 2007. The veteran's hearing impairment was found to be at Level II in the right ear and Level IX in the left ear.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, which is the maximum available benefit. The RO has not assigned a higher evaluation for his bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss or bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from October 14, 2004 to May 30, 2007, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 31, 2007 was denied as the schedular criteria were not met.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the criteria were not met for an initial rating higher than 70 percent or 10 percent respectively.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from March 21, 2005 to March 22, 2005 is denied because he failed to timely submit his claim and the treatment was not for a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's headache disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo as they were not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for left acoustic neuroma was received on January 11, 2000. Effective from this date, he is granted service connection for various disabilities and SMC for loss of use of one eye as residuals of his service-connected post-operative left acoustic neuroma.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar on the right elbow and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of any higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 28, 2000 for a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a current audiological examination and additional VCAA notification.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a TDIU and service connection for basal cell carcinoma due to insufficient evidence in the record. The veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected skin disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus, which he contends make it difficult for him to secure or maintain employment. His claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma has been previously denied but may be reopened with new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, basal cell carcinoma, or PTSD to warrant service connection. The claim for each condition is denied.

The veteran's hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to his service, and thus denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the nose, teeth, and gums, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral eye disorder have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not attributable to noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.