Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the appellant's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service, and denied the claims.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from October 15, 2002 to February 18, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 12, 2000. The veteran was granted separate evaluations for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss associated with chronic suppurative otitis media.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for left eye epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no evidence supported an earlier effective date than November 24, 1993 for right ear hearing loss or February 8, 1995 for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains pending as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship with military service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for left ear hearing loss and left elbow disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned since March 29, 2000.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss within the first year after discharge, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, a compensable rating for multiple SFW scars, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service or within one year of his discharge, and there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury or noise exposure. The VA examiner found that the most likely cause of the veteran's hearing loss was degenerative changes related to aging, rather than a connection to service.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or related to service, and denied his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for additional audiometric testing.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss requires additional development and an audiometric examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not warrant such an evaluation at any time since September 10, 2001.

The veteran's separation pay was recouped from his VA disability compensation due to a statutory requirement, and the Board found that this action was proper.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral ankle disability and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no medical evidence indicating current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable before March 16, 2005 and as 10 percent disabling as of March 16, 2005. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development and consideration of the appellant's claims for service connection for back disorder and hearing loss.