Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The GERD with hiatal hernia claim was granted based on secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities and thus, is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current low back disorder is related to an injury he experienced while on active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and otitis media of the right ear are currently rated at 50 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's otosclerosis with hearing loss, vertigo, and dizziness was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, a depressive disorder, panic attacks, and an anxiety disorder, also did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back condition is service-connected, and hearing loss and tinnitus are also service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for head injury residuals, right kidney disability, heart disability, and left ear sensorineural hearing loss due to a lack of competent medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during combat. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria. The appeal regarding service connection for generalized arthritis of multiple joints was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently does not have Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. However, the Board finds that his recurring episodes of dizziness are at least as likely as not related to his military service and grants service connection for vertigo.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, and determined that the earliest effective date for a combined 100% rating is June 11, 2002.

The Board has determined that R. A. D., the step-daughter of a veteran who served during World War II, is not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of physical or mental defect at the age of 18 and therefore does not meet the requirements for VA benefits as a helpless child.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of right tibia/fibula fractures is denied.,The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded to the RO for further action.,The veteran's TDIU claim remains pending and will also be remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and hearing loss in the right ear. However, no new rating was assigned as his current level of hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his loss of vision in left eye is not due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The reimbursement claim for travel expenses was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The current rating decision denied an increased (compensable) rating for right ear hearing loss, which was previously rated as status post tympanoplasty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his conditions to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria or a link between his military service and these conditions.