Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, or an inguinal hernia that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, particularly from his VA Medical Center in New Orleans.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, and Bilateral Hearing Loss have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of a left knee injury with degenerative joint disease and assigned a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder were also granted.

The veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been remanded due to the need to clarify the wishes of the appellant regarding the withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

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

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further actions, including scheduling an examination and readjudicating the claims in light of all evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current disability to his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic alcoholism, PTSD, left hand injury residuals, liver and pancreatic disorders, and hearing loss. The decision also addressed a claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for left ear hearing loss prior to November 5, 1996, which was denied.

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

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not shown to have been aggravated by military noise exposure and there is no evidence of an increase in severity during service. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's hearing loss existed prior to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, concluding that his death was unrelated to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back condition, and an evaluation for otitis externa. The evidence did not establish new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hearing loss. Service connection was also not granted for tinnitus or a low back condition as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Otitis externa was found not to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was initially rated noncompensable prior to December 8, 2003. From December 8, 2003, to December 12, 2004, the evaluation was increased to 20 percent. After that date, it has been rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 10 percent after December 13, 2004.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus during service or at any time thereafter, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found a current disability (bilateral hearing loss) and a link between this disability and in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development of evidence, including a VA examination and review of outpatient treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a formal or informal application prior to September 24, 2002.