Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied on the basis that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim since a March 2001 rating decision which denied the claim on the merits.

The VA reduced the veteran's evaluation for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to noncompensable, finding that his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss that amounts to a disability for VA purposes and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 15, 2002 for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is based on the fact that no formal or informal claim was filed prior to this date and there is no indication he attempted to reopen his claim before then.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his current level of hearing acuity is considered level I in each ear.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as evidenced by level I hearing in both ears, does not warrant a compensable evaluation from the effective date of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss in his right ear is no more than 10 percent disabling, and denied an increased evaluation for adjustment disorder with mixed features.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as his pure tone thresholds are within the range for a 10 percent rating. The Board also considered applying special provisions for paired organs but found no basis to elevate the evaluation due to the nature of the hearing impairment in both ears.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms match some of the criteria for this rating. The veteran's overall level of disability is assessed to be consistent with a 50 percent rating due to his PTSD symptoms including mood disturbances such as depression and irritability.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any inservice disease or injury.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, effective from April 30, 1991. The RO also granted a 30 percent disability evaluation for his skin disability. However, the veteran requested an earlier effective date for both claims.

The case is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The veteran must be informed of his rights and obligations, including the need for evidence in his possession.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient audiometric testing and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus, and whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss, but remands the case to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear condition, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus polyps and deviated septum, bilateral knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, and PTSD, are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and conflicting histories of noise exposure. The veteran is requested to provide detailed information about his employment history, including occupational noise exposure, and to identify all relevant healthcare providers for treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service. The headaches are considered a residual of a head injury during service but the VA examiner found insufficient evidence to link this condition directly to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities within the meaning of VA regulations.