Hearing loss decisions — 2005

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to December 6, 2002 and as of December 6, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, with the majority of the hearing loss attributed to occupational noise exposure and age-related changes. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation based on his audiometric test results.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that reliable audiometric evaluations were not obtained due to the veteran's lack of cooperation. The most recent valid testing indicated Level I hearing loss in both ears, which corresponds to a 0 percent disability rating.

The veteran's tinnitus was incurred during service and she is granted a rating of 20 percent for tendonitis, right ankle from November 4, 2004 to present.,The veteran's hypertension has been rated at the maximum available benefit (10 percent).

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as there is no competent clinical evidence of any such conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is at Level I in both ears.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to November 8, 2002 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, but it is unclear whether this evidence supports a finding of aggravation during service or relates the current condition to service. The decision remains undecided as to whether the veteran's original claim was properly denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorders, and lung disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could be presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange or other known risk factors.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied all claims.

The Board denied service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or to in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and for further development of the claim.

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

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his education and occupational experience, which allow him to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of service discharge, and there is no presumption for service connection. The VA examinations found his hearing to be within normal limits for VA purposes and his tinnitus was 'less likely than not' due to military noise exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for hearing loss and a visual disorder.