Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless and in danger in his daily environment, requiring the regular assistance of another individual on a daily basis to accomplish personal self-care. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for a low back disability. The RO previously granted service connection for left ear hearing loss but assigned a noncompensable initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for gunshot wound residuals of the left foot and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a claim prior to February 10, 1999 for the gunshot wounds and that the veteran did not have current bilateral hearing loss or any other condition related to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet or exceed the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, and thus denied his claim for an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to combat noise exposure during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information in the current evidence of record regarding the veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, in aggregate, are found to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and severity of his conditions.

The veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an initial (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the case is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, with tympanic sclerosis, is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from February 25, 2003.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities for which service connection can be granted. The claim for a left shoulder disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board found that the veteran's neck pain was not caused by his active military service and denied service connection for this condition. The initial compensable rating, disability evaluation, and TDIU claims are also addressed in the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss disability and Hepatitis C, and VA compensation for dependents potentially exposed to Hepatitis C virus.

The Board has decided to reschedule the veteran's hearing at the RO due to a previous request, and will handle this matter further.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed back disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her conditions are not attributable to active military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.