Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The initial and subsequent ratings for his left shoulder disability are denied as they do not meet the required criteria.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic disability for which service connection could be granted, including left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, left knee and right knee disabilities, or right shoulder disability. The preponderance of evidence was against each claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if there is sufficient hearing loss in the right ear to meet VA disability criteria and to reassess the status of his hearing loss, including in his left ear.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for left ear otitis media and hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence to support its occurrence or causation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and ear aches/dizziness are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The veteran's claims for bilateral cataracts, skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and arthritis of the hands were denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating, as his hearing impairment is at levels IV and II in each ear, which corresponds to a noncompensable evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted with an effective date of May 1, 1998.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% disabling, and his bilateral hearing loss for the period January 15, 2004 to June 6, 2006 is rated at 20%. The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30%.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the claimed conditions, except for tinnitus which was established as being related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, hepatitis C, and left-side pain due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to his period of service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because his notice of disagreement with the August 2002 rating decision was not timely filed.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to his active service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of hearing loss or eye problems in service and insufficient medical opinion to support a link between current conditions and service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing at the RO in Columbia, South Carolina.