Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 10, 2006. The earlier effective date claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's residuals of a right sternoclavicular joint dislocation are rated at 10 percent, as equivalent to malunion of the clavicle or scapula.,For his residuals of a left elbow soft tissue injury, the Board finds that he is entitled to an increased evaluation to 20 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran's nasal allergies and sinusitis are service-connected, as they had their onset during her active duty. The other issues remain pending for further review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ruptured ear drum, migraine headaches, right ankle disorder, depression, residuals of right palm laceration, and ear infections. The decision also addressed other issues such as asthma, mouth surgery, and lung cyst.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation based on current VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation, and thus denied his claim for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA audiology examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for each ear of tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of hypothyroidism, a right arm/elbow deformity, or bilateral hearing loss disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and procedural issues, including a need for proper VCAA notice and obtaining treatment records from health care providers.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and an initial (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The heart condition claim was not addressed due to lack of information.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, and this decision denies an increased evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to October 13, 2005 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increase in tinnitus, propriety of combined rating for service-connected disabilities, initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis beginning August 16, 2002, and sinusitis. The right ear hearing loss prior to August 16, 2002 was rated as noncompensable.