Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while his right knee replacement with osteoarthritic changes is rated at 60 percent. The appeal for increased ratings is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and otitis media in the right ear were denied. The RO found that his service-connected conditions did not warrant a compensable rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for defective vision, hearing loss, and infertility. The evaluation for TMJ dysfunction is increased from 20 percent to 30 percent effective November 14, 1997; the evaluation for myofascial pain syndrome with tension headaches is increased from 0 percent to 30 percent effective April 7, 2004; and the evaluation for pelvic adhesions is increased from noncompensable to 10 percent effective March 17, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his hearing loss, tinnitus, maxillary sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum. The appeals were dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal regarding prosthetic devices and services and housing assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and an effective date earlier than August 19, 1993, for the award of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee condition, left knee condition, eye condition, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the effective date for his tinnitus rating was set at January 10, 2000. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an audiometry examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant prior to any decision being made.

The Board found that the February 1993 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The VA is remanding the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any hearing loss disability is related to service, and for proper procedural steps.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his hearing loss conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective May 19, 2003. The claim for a compensable evaluation prior to this date was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of pneumonia, a bilateral knee disorder, and a right ankle disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and no case in controversy remains.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to be of service onset, and is not related to any inservice disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his tinnitus was already at its maximum rating of 10%, bilateral hearing loss did not meet compensable criteria, external hemorrhoid had no active symptoms, spermatocele left side had no active pathology, pulmonary disorder did not show active pathology, right middle finger injury and osteophyte, dorsal right foot were not incurred in service, and neck pain was not established as a current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.