Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO assigned a 50 percent rating for anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss, effective November 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current conditions. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left-ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of ten percent for tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings based on the current schedular criteria.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and residuals of a gunshot wound to the left upper extremity, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could lead to these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective January 11, 2005. The Board found no evidence of more severe hearing impairment to warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The spouse does not qualify for SMC based on her own disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, both conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a lumbar spine injury, and skin condition of the right hand. However, the original claim for service connection remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is reasonably associated with his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case is remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied as he did not have a pending claim at the time of his death and no outstanding monetary benefits were due to him.

The veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits due to incarceration was waived because recovery would be against equity and good conscience, given his total disability from service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for anemia, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or substantially contribute to his death from suspected sepsis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death for purposes of VA burial benefits is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or noise exposure, and concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss is not related to her active duty service. Additionally, the Board determined that she does not meet the schedular requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for TDIU. The veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or findings of hearing problems during service. Post-service medical evidence shows that the veteran met the criteria for a hearing disability under VA regulations but there is no further pertinent evidence of record.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is evaluated as noncompensable under the VA rating schedule.