Hearing loss decisions — 2005

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and skin disease, finding no current disability in either condition. The Board also noted that there was insufficient evidence to establish herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warranted a rating of 40 percent effective from July 23, 2004.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss from March 11, 2002. The initial evaluation was 40 percent prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck injury and hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to any in-service exposure. As a result, the appellant's claims for accrued benefits based on these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for an initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, bilateral farsightedness, and severe depression. The decision found that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen his claim for hearing loss, and that farsightedness is not a compensable disability. The Board also concluded that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current depression to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased rating for his left ear hearing loss and also denied reopening of his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have originated during his active military service, warranting the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and there is no medical evidence linking left ear hearing loss or tinnitus to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims of service connection for hearing loss in both ears, and therefore the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss, bronchitis, and skin disorder were not incurred in service or related to service. The VA denied these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior rating decisions of May 8, 1992, and August 20, 1992, denying entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO's decision of August 20, 1992, is final.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted at a 10 percent evaluation, and the current level of disability does not warrant an increase.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 60 percent disability evaluation for service-connected Meniere's syndrome and bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus should be June 12, 2001.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has received notification of the appellant's request to withdraw their appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma experienced during military service. Service connection was denied for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking it to service.