Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection for a detached retina of the right eye, and for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to February 17, 2004, and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss were denied. The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective February 17, 2004 was also denied.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective December 6, 2002. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's severe to profound bilateral hearing loss, which began in service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right thumb disability. The claim for an initial increased rating for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by level II hearing acuity in the right ear, and level XI hearing acuity in the left ear. The Board finds that he is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss at any time subsequent to the effective date of the initial grant for service connection.

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

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and did not address the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, denied his claim of service connection for functional heart murmur as new evidence was not submitted, denied his claim of service connection for dermatitis, chloracne, and cysts due to lack of competent evidence, and denied his claim of increased disability evaluation for prostate cancer from August 21, 2001, through August 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from June 23, 2003, to the present. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time on appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bursitis of the right elbow, intraocular hypertension with headaches and blurred vision, bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral ankle disorder, and arthritis of multiple joints (excluding cervical and lumbar spine segments).

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, bronchitis, pleurisy/chest pains, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), finding that these conditions were not related to the veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication of the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic inner ear disease or vestibular dysfunction manifested by vertigo.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a staged rating of 0 percent prior to March 25, 2004 and 10 percent from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for dysthymia and anxiety, an ulcer and hiatal hernia, special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder. The decision also noted that the veteran had already received an initial noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, effective from April 13, 1999.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issues of service connection for right leg varicose veins, stress incontinence, bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, a right foot heel spur, or hemorrhoids.