Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and thus grants secondary service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability and an effective date earlier than February 28, 2003, for his tinnitus. The evidence does not support these claims as of the one-year period prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The veteran's disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and left shoulder arthritis, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension at the housebound rate.

The veteran is appealing the denial of his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO previously denied this claim in June 1992, stating that the condition existed prior to entry onto active service and no aggravation was shown as a result of his active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied. The RO found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current hearing loss and his period of active service. His PTSD claim was also denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors.

The Board has confirmed and continued the initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability, as it is not shown to warrant a higher evaluation. The issue of an increased rating for PTSD remains pending due to incomplete records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim, and concluded that there was no indication of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss on the left was incurred during active service, but his hearing loss on the right did not worsen as a result of service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is considered a disability for VA compensation purposes and was incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied. The effective date for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating remains May 13, 2004.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new audiologic examination.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but he does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under VA regulations. The issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and the TDIU claim are pending.

The Board found that any current Mônière's disease was not caused or chronically worsened by the veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness/vertigo associated with chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, and headaches. Therefore, service connection for Mônière's disease is not established.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.