Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as they were incurred due to exposure to noise during active service. The degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is also service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board's decision denying service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was affirmed by a court, making it ineligible for revision on the grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that his current conditions were related to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted as of June 10, 1964.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of factual ascertainability during the year preceding July 10, 1995.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, scar tissue on the eardrums, balance problems (claimed as secondary to ear disability), and nasal obstruction, status post septoplasties. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these conditions in service or their relationship to service.

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

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, and he did not meet the legal requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination and notification regarding effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing due to the veteran's request. The appeal is also remanded for additional development or other appropriate action.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, a bilateral knee disorder, a neck disorder, and a bilateral shoulder disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted by the Board in December 2003, but an effective date prior to December 11, 2000 is denied.,No earlier effective dates are granted as the earliest claim was filed on December 11, 2000.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disability rated at 50%, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. Additionally, he requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, with an average puretone threshold of 43.75 decibels on the right and 38.75 decibels on the left, does not warrant a rating in excess of 0 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is manifested by no greater than Level I hearing in the right ear and Level II hearing in the left ear.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for right wrist trauma, right hand trauma (including right little finger laceration), and left ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the veteran.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to February 17, 2004 and 10 percent thereafter. The veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claim for PTSD. The decision also notes that further development is needed regarding the nature of the veteran's stressors during his service in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying stressors related to PTSD. The veteran will also be scheduled for examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss, GERD with gastric ulcer, and hemorrhoids.