Hearing loss decisions — 2008

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, effective from July 10, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and low back disorder, finding that his current conditions did not meet the criteria for such. The broken left second toe was also found to not nearly approximate a moderate foot injury warranting a compensable rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been manifested by no more than Level I auditory acuity in both ears since July 13, 2000. The RO determined that the schedular criteria for a compensable rating have not been met at any time since then.

The Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure, while his hearing loss is not. The veteran was exposed to loud noises during service and has reported a continuity of symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to April 14, 2004 for the grants of service connection and benefits.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the initial non-compensable rating assigned for residuals of a right hand fracture with deformity of the fifth metacarpal.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and special monthly compensation based on bilateral deafness are denied as they cannot be assigned prior to May 26, 2005 due to the finality of the March 2002 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA medical opinion is needed to address the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as there may be an issue of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was exacerbated during active duty with the Air Force Reserve. The VA is required to provide a VA audiologist examination to determine if his current hearing loss is related to this period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and a higher initial rating for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current hearing impairment as defined by VA standards.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during military service. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of his service records and any relevant post-service medical records.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in October and November 2005 is denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

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

The Board has determined that additional examination and medical opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 19, 2006. The claim for service connection of the right hip disorder is reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of a left ankle strain, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for residuals of a right knee strain, and entitlement to an increased disability rating for residuals of a right hamstring sprain with painful motion.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability were denied. The Board found that chronic bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter, and the veteran's right lower extremity myopathy with muscle atrophy and weakness is rated 40 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 8010 and 8520.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The veteran was not granted any new evidence-based service connection, but his PTSD claim resulted in a 30% disability rating effective March 22, 2004.