Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for all twelve claimed conditions, finding that the appellant did not have a radiation-exposed veteran status and there was no objective evidence of actual exposure to ionizing radiation during her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left hand injury were denied. The claim to reopen service connection for fractures of both clavicles was also denied.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is manifested by no more than level II hearing in both ears, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to evaluate the veteran's hearing loss, which may be related to in-service acoustic trauma. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc/joint disease of the lumbar spine, restoration of a 20 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability, service connection for his headache and neck disabilities, left hand disability, memory loss, and vision problems. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are denied as there is no evidence of a link between any claimed conditions and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for treatment of a service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's headache disorder, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The appeal for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the veteran's psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal is pending further action.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating than 10 percent since July 20, 2005. The initial noncompensable rating remains in effect prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding exposure to combat noise during service and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hand/wrist disorder and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for a left hand/wrist disorder is denied, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss is referred to the RO for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, all claimed as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of available service medical records and inability to obtain additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and an earlier effective date for service connection were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support reopening his previously denied claim for tinnitus, as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and bilateral hearing loss were denied. For the period April 12, 2002 to September 25, 2003, his low back strain was rated at 10 percent. For the period commencing September 26, 2003, his low back strain was rated at 20 percent and bilateral hearing loss remained at 20 percent.