Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder scar and service connection for both right knee injury residuals and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that the veteran did not have a right knee disorder or a current hearing loss disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to his military service.

The Board has determined that the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus the appeal to sever this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's left ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease, specifically related to her service in ACDUTRA. The AMC is instructed to obtain any outstanding private medical records and schedule a VA examination for the veteran.

The VA determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The veteran testified that he did not receive medical treatment for these conditions during his military service.,VA has reviewed all available evidence and determined that there is no basis to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, post-traumatic headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of multiple shell fragment wounds (SFWs), carpal tunnel syndrome, and hepatitis C. The denial was based on a lack of credible evidence to support these conditions as being related to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 10 percent since February 27, 2004. The Board found that the current rating is appropriate based on the results of a recent VA audiometry evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, both determined to be directly related to service. The claimant's tinnitus issue is pending.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied.

The veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective September 30, 1999. The Board found no basis to award TDIU prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic right shoulder strain associated with traumatic arthritis, left acromioclavicular joint and assigned a 30 percent disability rating effective May 16, 1997. The issue of hearing loss is dismissed as the veteran does not manifest hearing loss within the meaning of VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology and onset of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of July 25, 2002, based on the veteran's reported symptoms and diagnosis from his July 25, 2002 VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA audiology records and possibly a VA examination. The veteran must provide any relevant evidence in his possession.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his request for an increased rating for tinnitus was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate evaluation for each ear for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.