Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear sensorineural hearing loss is causally related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee strain, scar, and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore denied all three issues of bilateral otitis externa, bilateral hearing loss disability, and right knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, decreased visual acuity, and a right knee disorder. The claim for increased rating of asbestosis was also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability associated with the left tympanic membrane perforation or hearing loss in service, and thus denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his original claim of bilateral hearing loss and concluding that there was insufficient evidence linking tinnitus to military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The RO has granted an increased evaluation for his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and higher ratings for his right toe disability and hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, and that the veteran does not have actual loss of use of his right foot.

The veteran's death was due to end stage liver disease, and he had service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The VA denied the appellant's claim for accrued benefits as no additional compensation benefits were due at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) should be July 14, 1998, as this corresponds to when the veteran became unable to secure or maintain employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle with special adaptive equipment are not met.

The VA determined that the veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied, as her hearing loss was found to be secondary to infections prior to service and not related to active military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his most recent audiometric testing shows levels consistent with a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant's ear condition existed prior to his service and did not increase in severity during his period of active duty for training, thus denying service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for conjunctivitis, a left knee disorder, swollen joints, bronchitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder will be adjudicated de novo.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cataract, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of malaria and pulmonary tuberculosis. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, but denied them on the merits as there is no evidence that the current hearing loss was aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left rib cage injury with thoracic spine arthritis was also denied.