Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran does not have current arthritis of major joints or bilateral high frequency hearing loss, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than the current 50 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the effective date of service connection for these conditions, were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support granting an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss or a higher rating for his tinnitus. Additionally, it was determined that there is no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date than November 20, 2002 for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran did not have hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus during service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Member of the Board at the regional office.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability cannot be earlier than May 23, 2003 as there is no evidence showing a claim was filed prior to this date.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on new and material evidence submitted since the April 1991 denial. The matter is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the likelihood of the veteran's current hearing loss being related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, degenerative changes consistent with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or gout of the left wrist, peripheral neuropathy affecting multiple extremities, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, which render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus his claim is denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions was denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss related to service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, right hip injury, back injury, allergies and sinus problems, and joint pains and arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.