Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not due to any disease or injury incurred in service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in February 1994 and is not reopened.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder due to herbicide exposure was denied in April 1994 and is not reopened.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a leg disorder is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic residuals of influenza, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found no evidence supporting these claims based on continuity of symptomatology or medical causation.

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

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development of medical evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, including its relationship to service and noise exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for sinusitis were denied, but the claim for an increased rating for sinusitis was granted.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, evaluated as 20 percent disabling from May 17, 2005, does not warrant a higher rating. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted in December 2003.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current left ear hearing loss to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and continued the current ratings for otitis media (0 percent) and left knee disability (30 percent). The claim for increased rating of left knee disability was also denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is warranted effective June 24, 2004. Prior to this date, the evidence does not support a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for right patellofemoral pain syndrome, right great toenail disability, eczema, and bilateral hand arthritis. Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD was denied. The RO awarded a 50 percent rating, effective from August 16, 1994, but the Board is remanding this issue to consider the applicability of old rating criteria prior to November 7, 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for renal insufficiency, venous insufficiency of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.