Hearing loss Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the spine are not related to his military service.

The veteran's request for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Prior to September 24, 2005, the disability rating remained at 20 percent; after that date, it was increased to 80 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his hearing acuity is evaluated at its worst level (level V) and he does not have exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, or onychomycosis. The claim for service connection for organic heart disease with myocardial infarction and gout was denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities related to service. Service connection for a mental disorder was also denied due to lack of competent evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The veteran's appeal regarding separate 10% disability ratings for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 20% for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for prostate cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus disability picture more nearly approximates one of being unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his educational background and previous work experience as an electrician. As such, the claim for TDIU is granted.

The veteran seeks an effective date earlier than July 27, 2001 for the awards of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, there was no pending claim for these conditions prior to July 27, 2001, when he filed a claim for an increased rating for otitis media.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asthma. The decision found that asthma did not preexist service or develop during service, while the hearing loss claim was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in June 2002. The RO sent him a notice of the decision and his procedural rights, but he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year as required by regulation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no evidence of in-service stressors or current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart condition/hypertension and impotence, as well as bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus. The decision was based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any pre-existing disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus, and denied compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 9, 2005, and from that date forward. A rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder was also denied.