Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to appear at scheduled hearings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating, and thus denied his claim.

The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise in Vietnam. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no evidence of hearing impairment during service and both conditions developed many years after service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied the claim on the merits. The evidence does not establish current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and there is no competent evidence linking any current hearing loss to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his in-service motor vehicle accident and subsequent brain syndrome.

The Board has ordered that the case be remanded for further examination and evaluation, specifically a VA audiological examination to determine if hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and a VA orthopedic examination to assess the extent of service-connected right great toe wound residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or secondary service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right foot disability was initially noncompensable prior to March 19, 2003. Beginning from that date, the disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, prostate disorder, colon polyps, nodule of the right lung, diverticulitis, hernia, papilloma lesion of the right temple, and bilateral conjunctivitis, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset or progression of hearing loss while in active duty, and no mention of tinnitus or hearing loss in any records, including service medical records. The July 2003 VA physician's opinion regarding causation is considered too speculative.

The Board found no evidence of current chronic bilateral knee disability or left ear hearing loss for which service connection can be granted. The veteran's right ear hearing loss is not compensable.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is productive of Level III hearing acuity in the right ear and Level II hearing acuity in the left ear, warranting a noncompensable disability rating. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against granting a compensable rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

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