Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective from November 26, 1989. The hearing loss claim remains at noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition and for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's MOS as a vehicle mechanic exposed him to noise during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, chronic ear infections, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before the Board at your request. You will not need to do anything until further notice.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 23, 2003 for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected shell fragment wounds and current headaches, vision problems, and hearing loss. The veteran must be provided updated Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) notice.

The Board found that the evidence received since the April 1979 rating decision does not relate the veteran's bilateral hearing loss to his military service and is therefore not new and material, thus denying the claim of reopening.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current right ear hearing disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a BVA hearing at a local VA office.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 80 percent for bilateral hearing loss, effective June 19, 2000.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because his timely substantive appeal was not filed within one year of the April 2001 denial and over sixty days after he received a statement of the case. The right ankle arthritis claim is also dismissed as there is no evidence to support service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cognitive disorder, secondary to meningitis, warrants a 70 percent disability rating. The combined service-connected disabilities result in a total disability evaluation, qualifying him for TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD was incurred in active military service and grants this claim. The hearing loss evaluation remains pending as it requires further development.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus and left ear hearing loss, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, as the veteran's hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were evaluated, but the PTSD did not warrant a higher rating, while the hearing loss was rated as noncompensable.