Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Board has found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, as his current hearing loss is not related to military service and there is insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or event.

The VA reduced the Veteran's rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective March 1, 2010. The Board found that this reduction was proper based on improvement in the Veteran's hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 20% disability rating effective October 21, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was rated at 60 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The appellant also had other service-connected disabilities which rendered her husband unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for suppurative otitis media of the right ear and defective hearing were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating at any time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with some issues being granted and others remaining in denial. The decision is based on the merits of the cases where new and material evidence was not received to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service and the preponderance of the evidence fails to link current bilateral hearing loss to service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and ear disability was granted, with the effective date set at August 26, 2009. The Veteran is now rated at 100 percent for these disabilities as of that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in an April 1998 rating decision. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim, resulting in a denial of this issue. The back disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as he had not been found unemployable prior to December 1, 2004. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of chronic neck pain with radicular symptoms down the right arm is dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss meeting regulatory requirements for a disability. For left ear hearing loss, service connection is denied as there was no increase in severity during service and it existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence shows no chronicity of symptoms since service and there is no medical opinion linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination. A new examination is needed to determine if his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's disabilities do not permanently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore, he is not entitled to non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for VA disability compensation benefits from March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006 was denied as there is no legal basis for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA compensation.