Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder, finding that the evidence supports these claims.

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

The veteran's hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since November 2003, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself, protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his environment, or attend to the needs of nature. The Board finds that the preponderance of the probative evidence is against the veteran's claim for entitlement to SMC.