Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's service connection claims, including VA medical examinations and opinions regarding his heart disorder and right little finger fracture.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to verify her periods of military service and obtain medical examinations.

The appeal is remanded for lack of compliance by the RO with requirements of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and insufficient medical evidence to link current bilateral hearing loss to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current audiometric test results.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as manifested by Level VII hearing in both ears, warranted a 40 percent disability rating and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA audiometric examination for rating purposes and further review of his case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss of the left ear did not first manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of his discharge, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, eye disability, impotence, cramps of the lower and upper body, and hearing loss. The claim for athlete's foot was reopened but not granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ilio-inguinal neuropathy were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's military service or diabetes mellitus.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was related to noise exposure during his military service, and service connection for the condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to schedule a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the audiometric test results.

The Board grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence both for and against these claims is in equipoise.

The veteran was granted an initial 50 percent rating for headaches, effective June 12, 2001. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, heart palpitations with left-sided chest pain, lumbosacral strain, sinusitis, left ear hearing loss, left fifth finger, tendonitis of the right knee, and migraine headaches.