Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current right ear hearing loss as defined by VA, and thus denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could support these claims.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for any higher rating based on VA disability compensation standards.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's compensation benefits were properly reduced at one-half of the 10 percent rate effective December 1, 2001 due to his incarceration. The decision also noted that he was entitled to full payment of his current compensation benefit as it did not exceed a combined rating of less than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical evidence. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The veteran's claim for tinnitus was granted. No decision was made on the TDIU claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, shoulder disorder (unspecified), neck disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for headaches and hypertension. Additionally, the Board denied a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the schedular criteria were not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, right ankle disorder, sinus disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied an effective date prior to October 4, 1996.,The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain and disc disease was denied an effective date prior to June 8, 1995.,The veteran's claims for hearing loss of the right ear and tinea cruris were both denied an effective date prior to January 1, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the condition increased to the required level within one year prior to June 28, 2002.

The Board has determined that the claimant's right ear hearing loss is a residual of a perforated right tympanic membrane incurred during active duty in Vietnam. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's death was due to hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time of his death, he had service-connected disabilities rated at 90 percent combined evaluation. The Board found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% total rating due to service-connected disability continuously for ten years prior to death or five years from discharge.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and a rating increase, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the veteran's service records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the unavailability of his service medical records and a need to provide additional evidence.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing before an RO Decision Review Officer.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the correct effective date is May 10, 2001.