Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral tinnitus was remanded.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and disabilities of the wrists, knees, and ankles. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. For the wrist, knee, and ankle conditions, there is no competent medical evidence showing that these conditions are related to service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and GERD, as well as service connection for low back pain, are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's symptoms are more likely not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current sinusitis, back disability, or bilateral hearing loss disability. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claim for accrued benefits was denied as the claim had not been pending at the time of his death. The cause of death was alcohol-related, and service connection for the cause of death could not be established due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be only moderate, not warranting a higher evaluation. His bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for disability.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss of the right ear was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not manifest in service and is not related to injury or disease in service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for head injury residuals and bilateral broken hips, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not rated higher than the maximum allowed under VA regulations, resulting in a denial of his claims for accrued benefits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a higher disability rating, as both conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were evaluated by the Board. The increased rating for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated noncompensable due to lack of evidence from a state-licensed audiologist. His initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an increased rating for his left shoulder disorder. The decision also found that the April and December 1975 rating decisions were not the result of clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent since June 17, 2003. The RO has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claim of a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, including an addendum to the June 2005 VA examination and consideration of extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the spine, require daily personal health care services due to his limited mobility and high risk for falls. The Board finds that these needs are primarily attributable to his service-connected conditions and grants special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.