Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left hip disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches are denied. The claim for PTSD is granted with a 30% evaluation effective from March 14, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, and his psychological disorder other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his request for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders. The Veteran disagrees with these decisions and must be provided an opportunity to submit a substantive appeal.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during or as a result of his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and finds that it is warranted due to aggravation during service. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated in his left ear, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current headaches and dizziness.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological examinations and consideration of new medical evidence.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in October 2001.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, along with other service-connected conditions, has resulted in a 40 percent disability rating. The Board also granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his inability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that this is a new claim separate and distinct from the original claim decided in 1992, and will address this as an initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran also received increased ratings for multiple non-compensable service-connected disabilities prior to September 28, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound. His TDIU claim is also denied as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his service-connected conditions preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was found to be noncompensable, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and determined that it is due to noise exposure during service. The Veteran now has a grant of service connection for this condition.