Hearing loss decisions — 2006

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop in service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) upheld this decision, concluding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period.

The Board found that the appellant's current back, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service. The psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the RO received a request for withdrawal of his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from August 2001. However, the veteran is seeking an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development, including medical examinations and a nexus opinion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an initial compensable rating since August 1, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right shoulder disability and service connection for skin condition, joints pain, memory loss, hearing loss, impotency, hypertension, right inguinal lymphoma, back condition, major depressive disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and Peyronie's disease. The evidence does not support the veteran's claims as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for his left ring finger fracture residuals, post-operative left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic headaches.

The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the VA audiological examinations. The RO must provide additional evaluations and obtain a clear opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was confirmed, and a 10 percent rating from March 21, 2003, was granted. No new evidence or service connection issues were addressed.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity is only level II in both ears.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected due to acoustic trauma. The left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Service connection was denied for the GI disorders and increased evaluation for low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active military service. The evidence shows no mention of these conditions in service records and there is insufficient medical opinion to support their connection to service.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability at separation from service, and there is no evidence of sensorineural hearing loss within one year after discharge. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's hearing loss is related to active service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA records and a hearing loss examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, stomach problems (dysentery and diarrhea) as secondary to exposure to DDT, and depression are pending.