Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss and residuals of right fifth metacarpal fracture, major hand.

The Board denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disk disease. The veteran's claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. For the cervical and lumbar spine issues, there is no direct evidence linking current disabilities to active service.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred on September 12, 2005 is denied because the care rendered was not a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain relevant service records from Wiesbaden.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss in the left ear, headaches, or a psychiatric disorder that is service-connected. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than November 8, 2004 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The veteran was found not to meet the criteria for TDIU or DEA benefits prior to that date.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, a right elbow disability, a left elbow disability, a bilateral arm disability, and a bilateral hand disability due to lack of competent medical evidence establishing these conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and service connection for hemorrhoids have all been denied. The evidence does not support the establishment of these conditions or theories of service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. The VA has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development including an etiological opinion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinus condition, bilateral shoulder condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, low back condition, and knee condition as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the May 1959 RO rating decision that reduced his disability compensation rating from 10 percent to a noncompensable rating is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional evidence and a hearing, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing VCAA notice and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the back, peptic ulcer disease, tinnitus, coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, and PTSD were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with a current evaluation of 60 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for opthalmoplegic migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria.